Two Gwinnettians have been chosen by Jackson Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) as delegates for the 2023 Washington Youth Tour, scheduled June 15-22.
Winter
Endalk
Orit Endalk, a junior at Archer High School, and Luke Winter, a junior at Greater Atlanta Christian School, were selected for the all-expense paid leadership development experience sponsored by Georgia’s electric cooperatives and organized by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).
Jackson EMC President/CEO Chip Jakins says: “Our delegates represent the values of Jackson EMC with their commitment to community service, high standards of integrity, and a spirit of cooperation.”
Endalk is the daughter of Martha Tekle Negash and the late Endalkachew Abayneh of Lawrenceville. Endalk plays violin in the Archer orchestra and is an accomplished pianist. She is vice president of her school’s Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America chapter, and a member of Future Farmers of America (FFA), Mu Alpha Theta, and Science National Honor Society. She founded the Fiction Writing Club at Archer, and she competes on the varsity tennis team. She is a volunteer for several local and national music clubs.
Winter is the son of Terra and Anthony Winter of Lawrenceville. He is a member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club and competes on both the varsity football and varsity baseball teams. He founded the Share Table initiative in Gwinnett County schools to address food insecurity and volunteers with Bears Make a Difference, a recreational baseball league for children with disabilities.
High school counselors and teachers in the Jackson EMC service area were invited to nominate students for the competition, and students could apply directly. Four delegates were selected based on academics, community service, oral and written communications skills, letters of recommendation and a personal interview.
The other two Jackson EMC delegates selected were Lanier Ashley, junior at Jefferson High School, and Kendis Parks, junior at Jackson County High School.
New SPLOST funds coming for roadways
The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners gave the green light to several new SPLOST-funded items earlier this week. Here are some highlights:
New sidewalks: The Board approved a contract to install new sidewalks from Old Suwanee Road to Buford Highway to connect residential homes and a retail center. Sidewalks will be placed on either side of Chatham Road, and the road will be widened to a standard two-lane width. The project also includes curb and gutter as well as drainage improvements. A portion of the $2.2 million project is paid for by the 2017 SPLOST program.
Resurfacing: Neighborhood roads across the county will soon get a facelift. A recently approved contract will resurface County-maintained subdivisions and streets to keep up road quality and fix any existing issues. The $39.7 million contract is funded by the 2017 SPLOST program.
Sugarloaf Parkway study: With Gwinnett’s population growing, a study will look at the need to widen Sugarloaf Parkway from Scenic Highway to Old Norcross Road. The County partnered with the Georgia Department of Transportation on the project and will contribute $187,500 from the 2017 SPLOST program. GDOT will fund the remaining $750,000 toward the study.
Town Center Park upgrade: Gwinnett will help upgrade the park for the Suwanee Town Center on Main project. The Intergovernmental Agreement with the city is part of the Jointly Funded Parks and Recreation Projects program. The County’s contribution of a little more than $820,000 is funded by the 2017 SPLOST program.
Follow Us