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Powerful campaign name molds winning essay

Sarah Elder thanks Capital Electric for Youth Tour opportunity

Sarah enjoys taking photos and designing articles for her school's student newspaper. Appreciative of the Rural Electric Youth Tour opportunity, Sarah indicates she can't wait to capture some digital memories while touring Washington, D.C.

Sarah Elder has always turned off the lights upon leaving a room — not because she grew up knowing a great deal about energy efficiency and conservation — but because that's what her parents taught her to do. But when Sarah visited the Together We Save Web site at www.togetherwesave.com and took a virtual home tour, she learned that electric consumers can take simple steps to help save energy and lower their electric bills. She also observed that shutting off the lights is more than just a good habit; it's the future of wise energy use.

As power suppliers continue to build generation resources and deal with the complicated issues of energy, environment and the economy, there's never been a more critical time to use energy wisely.

Sarah, the daughter of Capital Electric members Mark and Ann Elder, recently wrote and submitted the winning essay for the cooperative's Rural Electric Youth Tour contest. She wrote on the assigned topic, "Touchstone Energy Cooperatives have launched the ‘Together We Save' campaign to promote energy efficiency and conservation nationwide. Why do you think energy efficiency and conservation are important priorities for electric co-ops, and how can co-op members and communities achieve the savings in resources these priorities are intended to accomplish?"

A junior at Bismarck High School, Sarah treated the essay like a homework assignment. First, she researched energy efficiency and conservation at www.togetherwesave.com. Then, she wrote a draft and asked her mother to proofread. Finally, Sarah incorporated her mother's suggestions and submitted the essay prior to the deadline.

In her essay, Sarah describes the power of the campaign name Together We Save, and why electric consumers must collectively start to change the way they use energy to ensure a brighter future.

"Resources in the world are limited in size. Some are renewable, but many are not. The nonrenewable resources will be gone forever once they are depleted. We as a society must care for what happens to these resources," she writes.

"If there are ways to help slow down the disappearance of these resources, then all people need to start taking part in the [Together We Save] suggestions. Some conserve energy because they are concerned about the future availability of fossil fuels, while others just want to be self-sufficient. The reason for conserving energy will be different for everyone, but as long as it is being done together by everyone, a difference will be made."

In April, Sarah learned her research and effort paid off. This June, she will travel to Washington, D.C., and represent Capital Electric on the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's Youth Tour. While on the all-expenses-paid trip compliments of her family's electric co-op, Sarah will learn firsthand more about U.S. government, American history and the cooperative way of doing business. She will also meet North Dakota's congressional delegation, and see sights including the U.S. Capitol, Arlington Cemetery, the Smithsonian and Mount Vernon.

This will be Sarah's second trip to Washington, D.C. On a previous trip, she and her mother toured some of the area's historic sites, and Sarah indicates she's thrilled to have the opportunity to go back and learn more.

As Sarah hikes from monument to memorial, you can bet she'll be carrying a reusable water bottle to keep herself hydrated. Along with conserving energy, Sarah indicates people have a responsibility to reuse, reduce and recycle.

"It's as simple as using a plastic bottle over and over again, instead of spending a dollar, buying a plastic bottle out of a machine and throwing it away," she explains. "I want the earth to stay good for future generations," she states.

The staff at Capital Electric congratulates Sarah on earning the Rural Electric Youth Tour trip to Washington, D.C. After she returns, we'll visit with Sarah once again and learn what she perceived to be the highlights of this once-in-a-lifetime trip.