What is the Government-in-Action Youth Tour?
Every June, as many as 1,500 high school students from across the country spend a week in the nation's capital as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. The students are sponsored by electric cooperatives – cooperatives that are committed to educating America's rural youth about America and the role electric cooperatives play in developing strong rural communities.
Participating in the Youth Tour is an awesome way to learn about this great nation, develop leadership skills, gain a better understanding of electric cooperatives, and make friendships that will last beyond the week!
2019 Youth Winners Announced
On Sunday, Feb. 3, students participated in Western Cooperative Electric’s annual youth contest for a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., or Steamboat Springs, Colorado, plus a scholarship!
The winners were selected by a three-member judging panel based on an interview, a quiz about electric cooperatives, and a one-page essay on the topic “Something I am Passionate About.”
The top five youth in this year’s contest, are Hayden Rogers, Ellsworth High School, son of Clint and Dimity Rogers; Jordyn Coonrod, Ellsworth High School, daughter of Eric and Steph Coonrod; Cora Anderson, Otis-Bison High School, daughter of Eric and Rebecca Anderson; Hayley Keller, Palco High School, daughter of Myron and Rachel Keller; Alyvia Zeigler, Natoma High School daughter of Tracy and Annette Zeigler.
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Hayden Rogers |
Jordyn Coonrod |
Cora Anderson |
Hayley Keller |
Alyvia Zeigler |
Scholarships were awarded along with trips to Washington, D.C., and Steamboat Springs, CO. The contestants chose from the available prizes according to placing.
Hayden Rogers and Jordyn Coonrod will join 1,700 youth from across the nation in Washington, D.C., June 13-20. During the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, students will visit their legislators and sites of historical significance.
Cora Anderson and Hayley Keller will join approximately 100 youth from four states at the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp near Steamboat Springs, July 12-18. At camp, the youth will learn more about energy challenges and tour one of the largest electrical generating plants in the Rockies.
Along with the trips, each winner will receive a $250 scholarship, sent directly to the college of their choice upon enrollment. Alyvia Zeigler will receive the $250 Darrell Brown Memorial scholarship and will be this year’s first alternate for a trip. Second alternates are R.J. Luea, Makua Lani Christian Academy, son of Ron and Joy Luea, and Hunter Mitchell, Otis Bison High School, son of Robert and Laurie Mitchell.
Congratulations to the winners, and a big thank you to everyone who participated!