SCRANTON — A Hyde County teen recently represented Tideland Electric Membership Corporation during the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.

Shakera Davis, who submitted an application and essay, attended the event from June 14 to June 21, which is held annually to educate young men and women across the country about the advantages of the cooperative business model and the importance of grassroots advocacy in shaping both state and federal policies, said TEMC Manager of Corporate Communication Heidi Jernigan Smith.

This year marked the 50^th anniversary of the event, in which approximately 1,800 students from 44 states participated. Davis was one of 36 students from North Carolina to participate, Smith said.

Smith said Davis was required to write an essay that asked her to write a letter to an investor that wanted to relocate their business in her community. Davis’ letter expressed why her community would be a good fit for the investor’s business.

“Based on her essay, she stood out from other applicants,” Smith said. “Her academic record and her extracurricular activities contributed to our choice as well. This was the first year we had personal interviews before our final selection and she was very impressive in her personal interview. She was a phenomenal candidate and one of the best I have ever seen in my 23 years with Tideland.”

During the tour, Davis and the other participants attended workshops, participated in a ceremony for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and visited sites like the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and Arlington National Cemetery, Smith said. While attending the Youth Tour, she had an opportunity to meet members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation. She met with Congressman Walter Jones and U.S. Senator Richard Burr, Smith said.

Davis is the daughter of Anthony and Linda Davis of Scranton and is a rising junior at Mattamuskeet Early College High School, according to a Tideland press release. She is active in 4-H and is a member of her high school’s softball team. An honors student excelling in numerous subjects, Davis also enjoys painting and drawing.

Students interested in attending the 2015 Youth Tour can obtain an application at www.tidelandemc.com.