News : Thirty four high school students from across Iowa traveled to Washington, D.C.

Thirty four high school students from across Iowa traveled to Washington, D.C. on June 10-16 to join more than 1,600 other students from around the nation for the 2016 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour has been giving high school students the opportunity to tour Washington, D.C. for over 50 years.

“The Youth Tour is the highlight of the summer for many students from Iowa, and we’re proud to send 34 of our best and brightest to Washington, D.C. this year to participate,” said Shelly York, Iowa Youth Tour Director. “These students gained a first-hand understanding of the legislative process and made connections with others from across the country that will last a lifetime.”

Jamie Thompson and Kirstie Martin, represented and were sponsored by East-Central Iowa REC for the 2016 Youth Tour trip to D.C.Jamie attends Vinton-Shellsburg High School and is the daughter of Julie Barnes of Palo and Kirstie is an Independence High School junior and the daughter of Curt and Deb Martin of Independence.

Students on the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour participated in leadership training, engaged in one-on-one conversations with elected officials, jumpstarted their national peer network, learned about electric cooperatives and toured Washington, D.C.

The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour has brought high school students to Washington, D.C. for the past 50 years. Students apply and are selected for this program by their local electric cooperative. Nearly 50,000 students have participated in this program. For more information, visit www.youthtour.coop.