2009 Youth to WashingtoN Scholarship Winners announced

Paxton, Ill. (4/8/09) – Ross Wilken of Danforth and Ross Munsterman of Onarga have been selected as the recipients of Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative’s 2009 Youth to Washington Scholarships.  In addition to receiving $1,000 college scholarships, the graduatng seniors will also represent Eastern Illini on an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. in June to see, first-hand, our federal government in action.

Ross Wilken is the son of Harold and Sandy Wilken and is a senior at Iroquois West High School.  Ross Munsterman is the son of Larry and Jody Munsterman and is a senior at Crescent-Iroquois High School.  The scholarships were awarded based on academic achievement; work, volunteer experience, school and community activities; goals; and knowledge of electric cooperatives.

State Representative Shane Cultra met with three students representing Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative during the Illinois Electric and Telephone Cooperatives Youth Day on Wednesday, April 1, in Springfield.  From left are: Carson Heidbreder of Thomasboro (also representing Eastern Illini on the trip to Washington D.C.), Ross Wilken of Danforth, Rep. Cultra and Ross Munsterman of Onarga. 

On April 1, the students also had an opportunity to view state government in action, and tour the State Capitol, Illinois Supreme Court, Old State Capitol and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, and meet with their local legislators.  The day was sponsored by the Illinois electric and telephone co-ops and was designed to introduce young rural leaders to state government. 

Students representing Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative sit in the same area that Abraham Lincoln once used as a state legislator, during a presentation at the Old State Capital in Springfield during the Illinois Electric and Telephone Cooperatives Youth Day.  From left are Ross Munsterman of Onarga, Carson Heidbreder of Thomasboro (also representing Eastern Illini on the trip to Washington D.C.), and Ross Wilken of Danforth.