This year,

Robert Ray, a junior at Fayette County High School and

Sarina Altman, a junior from Newnan High School, were

selected from schools throughout EMC's service area.

Ray's

English teacher, Becky Lewis, recommended him for the

contest and was very pleased that he'd been selected;

several of her students have won the contest during the

past few years. This will be Ray's first trip to

Washington, D.C. and he said he's very excited about the

event.

According

to EMC President and CEO Michael Whiteside, the

Washington Youth Tour serves several purposes.

"It is

our policy and our pleasure to give back to the

community, but we also want to encourage students to make

the extra effort in their English studies," he said.

"Additionally, the trip to Washington offers them an

up-close view of what their government is like and how

it's run.

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