Umatilla Electric is proud to announce that 2 local high school juniors have been chosen as the delegates for an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. this June. Catherine Doherty of Hermiston and Abrianna Lomeli of Boardman have been chosen to represent UEC on a weeklong trip to the nation’s capital to celebrate the 2025 National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Youth Tour.
UEC’s 2025 Youth Tour delegates will represent Oregon and the Northwest and will join more than 1,500 other students from across the United States for the once-in-a-lifetime trip. During the trip, Catherine and Abrianna will visit famous historical sites, meet with Oregon’s congressional leaders, and learn valuable leadership skills.
Catherine Doherty attends school at Hermiston High School where she maintains a 4.29 GPA, serves as ASB President, Vice President of the FFA Chapter, and is a member of the varsity tennis and slow-pitch softball teams.
Catherine was also selected as 1 of 8 students to represent the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) where she promotes leadership and teamwork among over 225,000 students across the state.
Doherty is also active in her community, volunteering as an assistant coach to Hermiston’s inaugural Unified Basketball Team supporting Special Olympic athletes to develop their basketball skills and play against other teams in the Mid-Columbia Conference.
She has also volunteered at the Community Fellowship Dinner during holidays, serves as a member of the Hermiston Youth Advisory Board, and is a Princess of the 2024 Umatilla County Fair Court.
She has been recognized amongst her peers and was awarded chapter and state recognitions in FFA, All-Conference honors in tennis and softball, and numerous other awards amongst her teammates across many athletic teams. After completing high school, Catherine hopes to attend school in California where she would like to study law or nursing.
“While I am torn between these 2 passions – nursing and law – I know that whichever path I choose, my ultimate goal is to dedicate my life to helping others,” says Doherty. “My high school experiences have laid a strong foundation for my future, and I am excited to see where my journey will take me.”
Abrianna Lomeli is a junior at Riverside High School in Boardman where she serves as President of the National Honor Society, President of Key Club, and President of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter.
Abrianna also participates on the Varsity Volleyball and Basketball teams, representing both teams as Captain. Abrianna has also committed to her academic studies, maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Lomeli has also completed her Associate of Arts (AA) degree during her time at Riverside, allowing her to start college at a junior level.
Outside of school, Lomeli served as a 2023 Oregon Business Academy (OBA) Student and was honored the role of OBA Intern in 2024, serving in a statewide leadership role. She has also worked as a server at 2 Barrels Taps & Grill for nearly 2 years, learning skills of time management, professionalism, and adaptability.
Abrianna was previously selected by Umatilla Electric Cooperative to attend the Idaho Youth Rally in 2024 where she strengthened her public speaking and collaboration skills and was recognized amongst the attendees with a scholarship.
Her post-high school plans are to attend Oregon State University where she would like to study marketing and international business, combining her passion for creativity with a global perspective on business operations.
“During college, I want to join clubs and organizations that align with my academic interests and personal passions, such as business leadership and cultural exchange groups,” says Abrianna. “After earning my bachelor's degree, I plan to pursue a master’s degree to deepen my expertise and enhance my career prospects.”
Says Robert Echenrode, CEO & GM at UEC, “We are excited to have this opportunity available to the youth in our communities. It’s a program that we hold in high regard at UEC. We are proud of all those who submitted applications and wish to thank all for being standout young adults across our region.”
For more information about the NRECA Youth Tour program, visit our Youth Programs page.