Samantha Kerley (left) poses for a photo with 5th District U.S. Represent-ative Virginia Foxx during Kerley's recent visit to Washington, D.C. Kerley took part in the Blue Ridge Electric Membership Cooperative 2008 Rural Electric Youth Tour from June 14 through June 20.

Kerley visits D.C. on 2008 Blue Ridge Electric tour

Samantha Kerley of Ennice recently was sponsored by Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation to attend an educational leadership development opportunity in Washington, D.C.

Kerley, the daughter William Kerley and Sandra Arnold, was selected from this region along with Kasey Thomson of West Jefferson, daughter of Cory and Linda Thomson, and Crystal Tsang of Boone, daughter of Nam and Kai Tsang. All three attended the 2008 Rural Electric Youth Tour from June 14 through June 20 in the nation's capitol.

Kerley is a rising senior at Alleghany High School who lives with grandparents Jay and Leota Kerley in Ennice. She said she has lived with them since she was about two years old.

In addition to the honor of taking part in the youth tour, Kerley also received the Youth Leadership Council award by being chosen by the other North Carolina Youth Tourists to represent them in Washington, D.C., and at the annual meeting of the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association next year in New Orleans. Kerley said she is the first person from Alleghany County to be selected for that honor, for which she also earned a $2,000 scholarship.

Kerley will be going back to Washington July 19 through July 23 for 10th annual Youth Leadership Conference annual meeting.

Kerley will be returning to Washington via the airport in Greensboro. "I'm a little nervous," she admitted.