On the eve of the U.S. semiquincentennial, nearly 2,100 high school students from across the country gathered for a week in the nation’s capital to learn about America’s democratic institutions and experience many of the sites that make the capital unique. It was an especially eventful time to be in Washington, and four students from Community Electric’s service territory were among the contingent of students.
The high schoolers from CEC member households were taking part in the year’s final major component of CEC’s youth scholarship program, the Youth Tour organized by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). NRECA and its member cooperatives have 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 make new friends and hear speakers who discuss the important roles that electric cooperatives play in their communities.
The students who attended from CEC households students are:
- Xavier Everette of Nansemond River High School
- Peyton Fowler from Windsor High School
- Cole Hewett of Southampton Academy and
- Samuel Weatherly, who is home-schooled
"This was a multifaceted leadership journey, and our student delegates embraced all parts of it magnificently," CEC Manager of Communications (and youth tour chaperone) Jessica Parr said. "They were inquisitive, attentive, sociable and represented our region and our cooperative very well."
Community Electric considers NRECA's 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.
The delegates capped their week with a visit to Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative in Gainesville, Va. Prior to that stop, their week was a whirlwind of historic and scenic experiences, ranging from trips to Capitol Hill, Mount Vernon, Washington National Cemetery and Washington National Cathedral to a Potomac River dinner cruise, a Washington Nationals baseball game and an outing at The Mansion on O Street, a museum and entertainment facility that features immersive exhibits and more than 80 secret doors.
"The delegates learned a lot about the foresight, perseverance and sacrifices that have shaped our nation," Parr said. "Beyond that, they got to make memories and forge friendships while better understanding the important role that electric cooperatives continue to play in modern society."
CEC’s Youth Scholarship Program long has given local high school students the opportunity to learn more about the U.S. political process and the role that member-owned rural cooperatives play in the U.S. electric sector. Next year’s main political element will be a Legislative Day in Richmond on February 11, 2027. The program’s two other primary components will be the weekend-long Virginia Institute on Cooperative Education conference (March 18-21) held in the Shenandoah Mountains and the interactive Day in the Life of a Lineman event (April 6) at CEC’s headquarters. The application period for next year’s program opens on September 1st. Additional information on the youth events and the application process can be found in the Community section of the CEC website at https://www.comelec.coop/community/youth-programs/.
