Two local high school juniors have been chosen to represent Umatilla Electric Cooperative (UEC) on a week-long trip to Washington D.C., for the 2023 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.
Sanyana Felipe of Irrigon and Claire Owens of Hermiston will serve and join more than 1,500 other students from across the United States on the trip. During the visit and trip, Felipe and Owens will visit famous historical sites, meet with Oregon’s congressional leaders, and learn leadership skills.
Felipe attends school online from home where she assists in teaching her two siblings. She plays violin and piano and received an award from the Oregon Music Teachers Association. Owens is active in her church, participating in the orchestra, sewing committee, and playing an active role in the church’s annual Journey to Bethlehem event. In addition to her community participation, Felipe received a Certificate of Achievement for exploring agriscience.
After completing high school, she plans to enroll at Blue Mountain Community College to study nursing, with a goal of becoming a nurse practitioner.
Owens is first in her class at Hermiston High School and participates in drama Club, band, choir and marching band. She received the Physical Education Student of the Year award and multiple awards for her performances in drama club. In addition to her involvement in school, she is also a young women’s youth leader at her church.
After high school, she would like to study to become an architectural engineer with a minor in business.
What other local area students are also going on this trip? Not just the Hermiston girls.