From the Ferris wheel that overlooks the Potomac River, to the meeting with two U.S. senators, to a solar farm tour – and lots more – two young adults from Community Electric Cooperative’s service territory had a full week of sights and learnings in mid-June as part of the 2024 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. Accompanied by hundreds of other high school delegates from across the nation, Jorja Powell and Miriam Weatherly received valuable lessons in U.S. history, the workings of our federal government, and the role of rural electric cooperatives. They also got plenty of exercise visiting several of the attractions that provide indelible memories for tourists exploring the Washington, D.C., area.
The Youth Tour was the culminating event in a series of three that students needed to complete to earn a $1,000 scholarship from Community Electric Cooperative. The first two events were "Day in the Life of a Lineman," held in February, and VICE, which took place in March. Additionally, each student was required to write two social media posts about each event. As part of the program, CEC will also donate $500 to a local charity of the student's choice on their behalf.
Jorja is a rising senior at Windsor High School; Miriam is home schooled and nearing the completion of her high school equivalency. Both are from CEC member-owner households with records of achievement that earned them participation in the Youth Tour opportunity – at no cost to their families. The Youth Tour is organized by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association; it has brought high school students to Washington annually since the late 1950s. The purpose is to provide students an understanding of American history and their role as a citizen. The youth delegates also get to meet one another and hear speakers who provide insights on the important roles that electric cooperatives play in their communities.
Validating their selection to experience this opportunity, Jorja was awarded a “Staff Pin” in recognition of good deeds that she carried out to assist her peers during the week. She was the only delegate from the Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives contingent to receive this uncommon recognition that requires the recommendation of a tour chaperone.
“This was just an incredible week,” CEC Manager of Communications Jessica Parr said. One of two CEC chaperones – lineman Ryan Hewitt was the other – Parr said the educational sessions, the monuments and memorials the delegates witnessed, and even the restaurants they experienced, made for a tiring but highly satisfying adventure.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the way that Jorja and Miriam conducted themselves, and the enthusiasm with which they absorbed all that was placed in front of them this week. This was just an amazing experience for all the delegates. I know it deepened their appreciation for the unique role that electric cooperatives fill in serving their communities. They also got to make new friends, learn and have fun all at the same time.”
The senators with whom the delegates met were Mark Warner of Virginia and Ted Cruz of Texas. Venues that the delegates visited included Arlington National Cemetery, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and a solar farm owned and operated by Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative Inc.
Community Electric considers the Youth Tour to be an excellent opportunity for local high school students to learn more about the U.S. political process and the role that electric cooperatives play in the U.S. electric infrastructure, Parr said.
“I invite students who want to experience the Youth Tour next June to submit an application. Details can be found under the Community section of our website,” Parr said, or by clicking this link https://www.comelec.coop/community/youth-programs/
APPLY FOR THE 2025 YOUTH PROGRAM BELOW:
YOUTH PROGRAM
