Six local high school students will be attending this year's National Youth Tour Conference in Washington, D.C. this summer.

The top six scoring finalists were Arthi Kondapaneni, Ella Murphy, Kaitlyn Benesek and Reese Ramler, all of Liberty High School; Madelyn Brune, Clopton High School; and Katelyn Sieh, Fort Zumwalt North High School. The final judging was determined during the annual Cuivre River Electric Cooperative Youth Tour Final Competition and Awards Banquet held April 6.

Six other finalists received $500 college scholarships. They were Jamie Jarvis, Jarvis Homeschool; Josie Hoskins, Troy Buchanan High School; Alexa Graham and Samantha Flynn, both of Liberty High School; and Julia Starks and Madisen Nash, both of Warrenton High School.

Jarvis and Hoskins were named first and second alternate, respectively, and will attend the Youth Tour since Kondapaneni and Sieh will be unable to attend.

This year's National Youth Tour will take place June 13-19. The seven-day tour provides an action-filled week for delegates, offering them opportunities to visit with representatives from their congressional districts, famous monuments and more. Cuivre River Electric fully funds the participation of its delegates. There is no cost to students or families.

Nearly 80 students from seven schools entered the preliminary stage of the competition by submitting an essay. The top 12 students won the opportunity to advance to the final competition. The annual contest is open to high school juniors who live and attend school in the co-op's general service area, or who have Cuivre River Electric service in their homes.