Area high schoolers were among the 102 who took the 54th annual Missouri Electric Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., earlier this month.
The seven-day tour provided an action-filled week for high school students, offering them opportunities to learn firsthand what it is like to be involved in politics, leadership positions, community service and today’s pressing issues.
Among area students attending were Natalie Caldwell of Bucyrus, April Bean of Licking and Lanie Kirkman of Summersville. They were sponsored by Intercounty Electric Cooperative of Licking.
“The Youth Tour is the highlight of the summer for many students, and we’re proud to send our best and brightest to Washington, D.C. this year to participate,” said Mike Marsch, director of member services for the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives in Jefferson City.
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Highlights included visiting with representatives from their congressional districts and touring famous monuments, the Smithsonian Institution’s museums and Arlington National Cemetery. The group also took a sightseeing and dance cruise on the Potomac River one evening with delegates from other states.
“I’m excited to host these outstanding young students and think it’s great that they have taken an interest in American history and civics,” said Rep. Jason Smith. “I remember my first trip to Washington, and it had a lasting impact. It really helped me understand our civic duties as Americans and inspired me to serve and lead.”
Other events of the week included participation in the Electric Youth Day, a special program coordinated by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association that brought together more than 1,600 Youth Tour delegates from across the United States. The delegates enjoyed featured speeches by government leaders and motivational speakers, such as Mike Schlappi, an inspiring four-time Paralympic medalist and two-time world wheelchair basketball champion.
Since 1964, the nation’s cooperative electric utilities have sponsored more than 50,000 high school juniors and seniors for visits to their U.S. congressional delegations, energy and grassroots government education sessions and sightseeing in Washington.
The seven-day tour provided an action-filled week for high school students, offering them opportunities to learn firsthand what it is like to be involved in politics, leadership positions, community service and today’s pressing issues.