Capital Electric Announces Youth Tour Winner

Katrina Gellerman 2006 Youth Tour Winner

Katrina Gellerman of north Bismarck

She chose a topic, planned the details and wrote with accuracy. Then she submitted her essay based on future career aspirations and earned herself a trip to Washington, D.C. Capital Electric Cooperative chose Katrina Gellerman of north Bismarck to represent the cooperative on the Rural Electric Youth Tour in June. She will join 13 other teens from across North Dakota for a week of learning about our national government and our nation’s rich history.

Katrina composed an essay on her dream of becoming a classical pianist. As a self-taught student with only four years of professional lessons, she’s been told she has a gift.

“I’m amazed at the progress I’ve made in a short time,” she says.

She plays because it allows her to express herself and bring joy to others. She herself finds joy in other hobbies such as dancing with “Leap of Faith” at McCabe United Methodist Church, and reading and drawing.

Katrina also competes in Science Olympiad, a regional, statewide and national school competition that allows students to compete both individually and as a team. They compete in topics such as chemistry, physics and genetics. When her team competed at the national competition in Pennsylvania, Katrina placed second in forensics.

This past February, Katrina competed in the U.S.A. Biology Olympiad, and was the only student from North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota to qualify for the national semifinals.

“It put North Dakota on the map,” says proud mother Carla Gellerman. “It’s a great opportunity for Katrina to meet other kids while developing her interest in science.”

Currently in the 11th grade at Prairie Pines School, her home school named after the subdivision northeast of Bismarck where she lives, Katrina plans to attend college. She hopes to double major in biology and music.

Don and Carla Gellerman and their seven children became Capital Electric members when they moved to Prairie Pines in 2000. Katrina is looking forward to the cooperative-sponsored trip and anticipates the highlights to be touring the Smithsonian and spending time with peers.

The employees and members of Capital Electric Cooperative look forward to hearing about Katrina’s highlights when she comes back!

“I didn’t expect to win the essay contest,” Katrina says with a laugh. “It was just one of those cool things.”