Cuivre River Electric Youth Tour Delegates Visit U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C. – 89 high school juniors participated in Missouri’s forty-ninth annual Missouri Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. June 15-21. Local delegates were Melora Broker, Warrenton; Lauryn Burch, Winfield; Krista Dye, Elsberry; Michael Edwards, Elsberry; Samantha Olsson, Warrenton, and Hannah Romaker, Warrenton. They were sponsored by Cuivre River Electric Cooperative (CREC), Troy.
The seven-day tour organized by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives (AMEC) provided an action-filled week for high school students, offering them opportunities to learn first-hand what it’s like to be involved in politics, community service and today’s pressing issues. Highlights included a special session on Capitol Hill with U.S. Congressmen Todd Akin and Blaine Luetkemeyer to discuss the process of government, issues of the day and increasing their knowledge of cooperative electric utilities and American history.
“The passion for learning about democracy and government stood out among these young Missourians from across the state. They asked some really tough questions on everything from climate change legislation to the stimulus package, and it’s great to see young people eager to learn and gain leadership skills. Building strong leaders out of today’s young people is essential to our nation’s future,” said U.S. Congressman Todd Akin.
Missouri’s Youth Tour delegates also visited with U.S. Congressmen from their congressional districts, toured famous monuments, the Smithsonian Institution’s museums, George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Arlington National Cemetery. The group also attended a Washington Nationals baseball game and took a sightseeing cruise on the Potomac River one evening with delegates from other states.
Other events of the week included participation in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Youth Day program, during which a special program coordinated by NRECA brought together over 1,500 Youth Tour delegates from across the United States. The delegates enjoyed featured speeches by government leaders and motivational speakers, such as Mike Schlappi, an inspiring four-time Paralympic medalist and two-time world wheelchair basketball champion.
Since 1964, CREC has sponsored 190 Youth Tour delegates for visits to their U.S. congressional delegations, energy and grassroots government education sessions, and sightseeing in Washington, D.C. More than 40,000 high school juniors and seniors sponsored by the nation’s electric cooperatives have participated in the Youth Tour since the educational leadership program began.
“We want the Youth Tour to be a fun, educational experience that helps bring about the next generation of cooperative leaders,” said AMEC Youth Tour Director Mike Marsch. “Cuivre River Electric uses the education, training and information cooperative principle to assist in the development of the student’s leadership potential,” said CREC Youth Tour Coordinator Lonnie Tucker.
CREC provides electricity to more than 59,500 homes and businesses in Lincoln, Pike, St. Charles and Warren counties. For more information on the Youth Tour and Cuivre River Electric Cooperative visit www.cuivre.com or call 800-392-3709 ext. 230. Social media information can also be found on the Missouri Youth Tour facebook community page.
Cuivre River Electric Cooperative Youth Tour delegates in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. The delegates are (L-R): Krista Dye, Elsberry HS; Lauryn Burch, Winfield HS; Hannah Romaker, Warrenton HS; Michael Edwards, Silex HS; Samantha Olsson, Warrenton HS, and Melora Broker, Warrenton HS. The delegates traveled to Washington, D.C. June 15-21 to attend the National Youth Tour Conference.