(CUMMING, GA) The Sawnee Electric Foundation (Foundation) is pleased to announce the selection of Joy Fan, a student at South Forsyth High School, and Ishaan Somaka, a student at Lambert High School, as the 2026 Sawnee EMC Washington Youth Tour Delegates. These two (2) outstanding high school students will represent Sawnee EMC in June on a leadership experience in Washington D.C. Additionally, they will join over one hundred other delegates selected from electric cooperatives throughout the state of Georgia.
Joy and Ishaan will spend a week in our nation’s Capital engaging alongside their fellow delegates and obtaining a perspective of how electric cooperatives function from a national scale and how decisions and choices made on a national level affect electric cooperatives on the local level.
They will have the opportunity to meet national energy leaders, engage in various leadership exercises, participate in discussions with Georgia’s congressional elected officials as well as an in-depth tourism experience of the nation’s Capital.
Sawnee EMC Delegate Joy Fan stated, "I’m thrilled to be chosen as a delegate and represent my cooperative, Sawnee EMC! I look forward to a trip that will broaden my perspective and challenge me to grow as a young leader."
Multiple applications were submitted by the November 2025 deadline by high school students living in homes receiving electric service from Sawnee EMC. After the interview process was completed, Joy and Ishaan were selected as the Sawnee EMC delegates.
"The Foundation is committed to making a meaningful impact in our community, and speaking with so many impressive students during the interview process gives us such confidence in the next generation of local leaders," said Mandy Love, Associate Vice President of Member Services. "We’re excited to offer Joy and Ishaan the opportunity to represent our cooperative in Washington, D.C., this summer, and we look forward to hearing about their experience when they return," she added.
Learn more about the Washington Youth Tour at sawnee.coop/washington-youth-tour. Questions about the Sawnee Electric Membership Foundation, please visit sawnee.coop/round_up. Questions may also be directed to Mandy Love, Associate Vice President of Member Services, at 678-455-1579 or via email at foundation@sawnee.coop.
About Sawnee EMC and the Sawnee Electric Foundation
Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an electric distribution cooperative headquartered in Cumming, Georgia. Sawnee serves electricity to approximately 203,000 accounts in seven (7) counties of greater north Georgia. The Sawnee Electric Foundation was created in 2003 with the mission of providing charitable donations within the Sawnee communities. The Foundation exists to enhance the way of life for those in need, with financial assistance to selected charitable organizations. Sawnee always stands ready to meet the needs of its members/owners. SEMC strives daily to live up to their motto…
“At Sawnee EMC, We’re More Than Electricity, We’re Service”.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.