Archives for September 2014

Jeffrey Collins and Katy Adams were among the over 1,500 high school students from across the country that participated in the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour held June 13-19, in Washington, D.C. These kids earned this all-expense-paid trip when they were named winners of Greenbelt Electric Cooperative, Inc. Youth Tour Contest.

Each year in June, an action-filled week provides high school students opportunities to learn first-hand what it is like to be involved in politics, community service and today’s pressing issues. Highlights included meeting with their elected representatives in the U.S. House and Senate to discuss the process of government and issues of the day, and increasing their knowledge of cooperative electric utilities and American history.

The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour has been a joint effort of local electric co-ops, such as Greenbelt EC, their statewide co-op associations, and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Arlington, Virginia for over 40 years.

While in Washington, D.C., they met people from all corners of the country and visited historical monuments, museums and Capitol Hill and learned so much about the role of electric cooperatives in the energy industry.

For more information, please go to http://www.youthtour.coop.

A sudden weather shift gave Clarendon residents a fright last Thursday, August 28, and sent people scrambling for shelter.

A tornado was the last thing on people’s minds when shortly before 3 p.m. a funnel cloud was reported on the ground west of the city.

Clarendon ISD Athletic Director was on the football field when he spotted rotation in clouds and contacted Superintendent Monty Hysinger who ordered students to take cover before any alerts or official warnings were issued.

“It took us about five minutes to get everyone to shelter,” Hysinger said. “It worked great.”

In April, the school finished more than $34,000 worth of upgrades to its shelter under the cafeteria and library and rehearsed what to do in an emergency. That practice and investment paid off last week.

“We felt very fortunate to be in that facility,” Hysinger said. “I know it’s a relief to parents, but it’s also a relief to administrators. It went very well, and we haven’t even had a drill yet this year.”

Clarendon College activated its Bulldog Alert system and sent students to the basement of Knorpp Hall, and other people took shelter at City Hall.

The small funnel did not stay on the ground, and the storm exhibited very threatening looking rotation as it moved over the city, and an “all clear” signal was soon given by the sheriff’s office.

The sudden occurence of this event – with no warning – serves as a reminder that all residents should be aware of their surroundings and be mindful of where the nearest shelter is.