Gainesville High School Student Wins Citizenship Award

For Immediate Release
March 29, 2007
Michael Holeman, a Gainesville High School senior, has been selected as Jackson Electric Membership Corporation’s Youth Citizenship Award recipient. The award includes a $2,000 college scholarship, a $1,000 grant for the civic organization of his choice and an all-expense paid trip to the 2007 Washington Youth Tour in June.

The Youth Citizenship Award recognizes student commitment to improving their community through volunteer work.

“Community service is an excellent opportunity to give back, and student volunteers make a tremendous impact both through school and civic programs. We are proud to recognize a student that is committed to good citizenship at a young age,” said Randall Pugh, President/CEO, Jackson EMC.

Holeman, the son of Terrence W. and Joy Holeman, is a resident of Gillsville. He has amassed hundreds of hours of community service through volunteer work with the Boys & Girls Club of Hall County, where he was named 2006 Youth of the Year; Straight Teen, a community teen organization which he founded, organized and serves as president; and Restoration Preservation Mission, which uses video documentation to transfer knowledge from older generations to today’s teens.

Forty-five students applied for the award by listing their community service activities, providing short answers to questions and submitting a letter of recommendation from an organization sponsor.

One of five finalists, Holeman interviewed with a panel of judges from business, education and non-profits to describe the lessons he learned from volunteering. “If there is one thing that I’ve learned in my dealings with my community as a volunteer, it has been that the best thing you can do for yourself is to do something for someone else,” said Holeman. In addition to receiving the Youth Citizenship Award title and scholarship, Holeman will be one of two Jackson EMC delegates to the 2007 Washington Youth Tour, June 7-14, sponsored by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). This week-long trip to Washington, D.C. teaches students from across the nation about leadership and civic duty.

High school juniors and seniors who attend a school in Jackson EMC’s service territory may apply for the Youth Citizenship Award. For more information about next year’s competition, or to learn more about Jackson EMC’s youth programs, please visit here.

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