Washington Youth Tour

Six students from Hawkins and Hamblen counties were among the over 1,500 high school students from across the country who participated in the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour held June 14-19 in Washington, D.C. An annual tradition for more than four decades, the Youth Tour is a weeklong event packed with opportunities to learn first-hand what it is like to be involved in politics, community service and today's pressing issues.

Students won the expense-paid trip for writing the best short stories in their cooperative's service areas. Each wrote a short story titled "Energizing our Communities." The contest provides an opportunity for the high schoolers to discover how their member-owned electric co-ops provide more than just electricity to their communities.

Each year in June, students board busses and planes bound for Washington D.C. The action-filled week provides opportunities for them to learn first-hand what it is like to be involved in politics, community service and today's pressing issues. Highlights included meeting with their elected representatives in the U.S. House and Senate to discuss the process of government and issues of the day, and increasing their knowledge of cooperative electric utilities and American history.

The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour has been a joint effort of local electric co-ops, such as Holston Electric Cooperative, the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Arlington, Virginia for more than 40 years.

Being selected for the Washington Youth Tour is an eye-opening experience for the contest winners. “You have no idea how much I appreciate this wonderful trip,” said Elisha Wilder of Bulls Gap. “Going to Washington really changed my perspective on life!”

Michael Sandidge of Rogersville said, “I was honored to have been selected from Cherokee High School and excited about the opportunity to participate in Youth Tour. Like many people have said before, it truly was the trip of a lifetime and one I will never forget.”

Even experienced travelers like Volunteer High School teacher Ramona Invidiato were amazed at the opportunities included in Youth Tour. “I still can’t believe how terrific the kids were, how wonderful the cooperative personnel were and how productive and constructive this whole experience was,” she stated.

While in Washington, Tennessee's group saw historic monuments and memorials, explored the museums of the Smithsonian Institution and toured the homes of former presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Other stops included Arlington National Cemetery, where the group laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, the Washington National Cathedral and the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Students also enjoyed seeing a performance of "Shear Madness" at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Later in the tour, Tennessee's Youth Tour contingent posed for photos with Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker on the steps of the Capitol, which was followed by a breakfast with Tennessee's representatives in the Rayburn House Office Building where representatives discussed the process of government and issues of the day.

In addition to taking in the sights and sounds of the nation's capital, all the state groups convened for National Youth Day on June 16 to learn from public figures and other inspirational speakers. This year's Youth Day agenda included Mike Schlappi, a four-time Paralympic Medallist and two-time world Champion Wheelchair Basketball champion. Mr. Schlappi shares his inspiring message for every American, young or old: "Just because you can't stand up, doesn't mean you can't stand out." As president of Mike Schlappi Communications, he spreads that word to audiences ranging from students to chief executive officers, from rookies to Olympic champions, and from small gatherings to major conventions.

The students were also treated to an amazing portrayal of a very influential United States Senator who authored the laws creating the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Rural Electrification Act (REA) in the early 1930s. Former Nebraska State Senator David Landis tells the story of the late U.S. Senator George W. Norris (R-NE), in character, explaining the formation of and the politics surrounding the creation of electric cooperatives and the Rural Electrification Act.

The 2008 Washington Youth Tour participants from Holston EC included Michael Sandidge, son of Scott and Cathy Sandidge of Rogersville; Elisha Wilder, daughter of Lonnie and Glenda Wilder of Bulls Gap; Emily Banks, daughter of Aaron and Katrina Banks of Rogersville; Heather Fultz, daughter of Tom and Brenda Fultz of Church Hill; Amanda West, daughter of Kipp and Judy West of Church Hill; and Kayla Williams, daughter of David and Melody Williams of Russellville. Since 1964, the nation's cooperative electric utilities have sponsored more than 40,000 high school juniors and seniors for visits to their U.S. congressional delegations, energy and grassroots government education sessions, and sightseeing in Washington. NRECA is the national service organization representing the nation's more than 900 private, not-for-profit consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which provide electric service to 42 million people in 47 states. For more information, please go to http://www.youthtour.coop.

Photo Cutlines

Standing on the steps of the Supreme Court Building gives students the opportunity to reflect on some of the decisions handed down by the court justices over the past 200 years. From left are Amanda West, Kayla Williams, Michael Sandidge, Emily Banks, Elisha Wilder and Heather Fultz.

The opportunity to fly home from Washington, D.C. is an exciting new experience for many of the contest winners. From left: Emily Banks, Elisha Wilder, Kayla Williams, Heather Fultz, Amanda West, Michael Sandidge and Volunteer HS teacher Ramona Invidiato.