Seventy-three incoming high school seniors traveled to Washington, D.C., this June as part of the 51st annual Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. Indiana’s electric cooperatives sponsor the trip each summer to give outstanding young Hoosiers the chance to learn about government and electric cooperatives in our nation’s capital.
The students convened in Indianapolis on June 10 to tour the Indiana Statehouse and attend an orientation program at Indiana Statewide Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. Youth Tour participants returned on June 17.
While in Washington, the Indiana group was part of a delegation of nearly 1,500 students from across the country who represented their states during a four-day conference hosted by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
The Indiana contingent visited Gettysburg Battlefield and Baltimore’s Inner Harbor before arriving in Washington, D.C. Touring went into high gear once the group hit the nation’s capital. Among the sightseeing stops: Arlington National Cemetery; the Lincoln, Jefferson and war memorials; the National Mall museums; and the Newseum.
Trip highlights included special presentations by Hoosier natives Lee Hamilton and C-SPAN CEO Brian Lamb. Hamilton is a former Indiana congressman who is current director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Students were also treated to a luncheon on Capitol Hill with Indiana Reps. Joe Donnelly and Brad Ellsworth. Afterward, Indiana Rep. Mike Pence was on hand for an impromptu question and answer session on the Capitol steps.
During the “Youth Tour Rally,” which included the full delegation of participants from across the country, students learned about the importance of responsible carbon legislation and the need for affordable energy. They also enjoyed presentations by Nebraska State Sen. David Landis, who portrayed rural electrification champion U.S. Sen. George Norris, and Mike Schlappi, a four-time Olympic medalist is USA Men’s wheelchair basketball, who shared his inspirational message of overcoming adversity.
Nick Hebert, sponsored by Harrison REMC, was selected as Indiana’s Youth Leadership Council representative. As YLC representative, he returned to Washington last month. Hebert will also attend the national electric co-op annual meeting in Orlando next March. The alternate YLC representative is Amanda Master, sponsored by Marshall County REMC. In addition, Katie Day, Indiana’s 2007 YLC rep, also from Marshall County, assisted the national staff this year.
Nick Hebert and Amanda MasterPhotos by Katy Stegall and Jessica Bacon