Submitted
Bryan Garvert, Plainville Jr-Sr High School, and Mariah Werth, LaCrosse High School, recently represented Western Cooperative at the 2024 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., held from June 14-20. During their time in Washington, D.C., students deepened their understanding of America’s electric cooperatives and honed their leadership abilities alongside peers from the electric cooperative community. These standout student representatives were chosen by a rigorous selection process.
During Western Cooperative’s application process in January, students were asked to write an essay, take a quiz, and conduct a virtual interview with a three-judge panel.
The Youth Tour kicked off in Topeka with a lively dinner, followed by an exclusive night tour of the Kansas State Capitol led by State Treasurer Steven Johnson and Kansas Representative Kyle Hoffman, alumni of electric cooperatives youth tours. While in Washington D.C., students explored iconic landmarks such as the U.S. Capitol, the White House, Arlington National Cemetery, and Mount Vernon. They also visited the Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Smithsonian Museums to further enrich their appreciation of history and culture. Students also enjoyed memorable experiences like pin trading with students from other states’ delegations and a scenic dinner cruise on the Potomac River.
Reflecting on her experience, Werth shared, “A memory that I will always have is the dinner cruise on the Potomac. On this cruise, we made some amazing friends at dinner and traded so many pins. On this trip, I was inspired by the people I was with. Learning about their experiences and perspectives has taught me a new way of looking at the world.”
During the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) National Youth Day on June 19, students were inspired by a lineup of motivational speakers. Among them was Paralympic Gold Medalist Mike Schlappi, alongside other notable speakers, NRECA’s CEO Jim Matheson, representatives from the NRECA International Program, and the 2024 National Youth Spokesperson Hayley Dorsey.
Students also had the opportunity to engage directly with government officials by meeting with United States Senator Jerry Moran. During this meeting, students had the opportunity to ask questions on various important topics.
Meeting students from across the United States is a priceless experience for the participants. Garvert expressed an appreciation for the opportunity, “I’ve become more aware of different cultures, languages, and accents of people from across the country. The melting pot that is Washington, D.C., had the biggest impact on me. This trip has inspired me to consider other people’s perspectives of the world other than just my own.”
Students who attended the 2024 Youth Tour can apply for the KEC Auxiliary Scholarship and the NRECA Glenn English Scholarship. For more information about the Youth Tour and other KEC youth programs, please contact Nolan Numrich at Western Cooperative or visit www.westerncoop.com/youth-tour. Applications for the 2025 Youth Contest will open in December.
