MBC sponsor Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative’s Washington Youth Tour provides an opportunity for high school juniors to take an all-expense-paid week-long trip to see our nation’s capital.
Voted a 5-Star Electric Co-Op for 2019-2020, Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC) is a not- for-profit, member-owned distribution cooperative providing electricity to more than 60,000 services over some 4,100 miles of energized line. The cooperative’s service territory covers parts of Cochise, Graham, Pima and Santa Cruz counties in Southern Arizona. As with any cooperative member-driven entity, SSVEC is dedicated to community growth, quality of life and a positive vision for the future.
Marcus Harston, Community Relations & Youth Program Coordinator for SSVEC, manages three youth programs for the Cooperative: YES Fair, Washington Youth Tour and a Scholarship Program. He also oversees the Surge Protection Program, as well as coordinating events and product sales.
SSVEC supported Mat Bevel Company this year as a sponsor because of programs that empower youth to excel academically, emotionally and professionally. Delivering programs to local communities is a priority for both organizations. “Teachers or students should not have to drive hours to participate in programs, courses and training,” Marcus said. “This limits the number of students and teachers in rural areas who can attend.”
SSVEC’s YES fair is one of three regional science fairs that’s affiliated with the International Science and Engineering Fair. The Washington Youth Tour provides an opportunity for high school juniors to take an all-expense-paid week-long trip to see our nation’s capital and visit with our representatives and senators in Washington D.C. The Scholarship Program provides thirty $3,000 scholarships to students in SSVEC’s service area.
“These programs provide activities and opportunities for our rural members and families members,” Marcus said. “Much of what we do now is the result of either a national program or a need that our members worked with SSVEC to establish.”
In the future, SSVEC would like to provide a science camp during the summer for YES Fair teachers and students with a focus on STEM. Programs like “The Universe Within” world-building curriculum are in line with future goals of the YES Fairs student development ideas.
2019 SSVEC YES Fair Grand Prize Winner Megan Fox pictured with Advisor Beverly Adams.
“Our students at the YES Fair have presented many outstanding projects such as an electric jet engine, a portable solar water purifier and cyber security software,” said Marcus. “Many project ideas were based on needs in their communities or situations they found interesting. The teachers encourage students to do much of their own research online or interview people in the community.”
Marcus believes that what we put into our communities—the education of our students, and their activities—funds our future. He’s always pleasantly surprised when he meets someone who participated in one of SSVEC’s youth programs whose kids are also participating in these programs today. “We have a teacher at Buena High School who won the grand prize at the YES Fair when she was in high school. Now she’s teaching at Buena and her student won grand prize last year,” he said.
Marcus encourages young people to follow their passion. “Who you are isn’t decided by where you live or what you see! Your dreams tell you a direction to follow, your research and education show you the path to follow, and passion will drive you there.”