One hundred and eight high school students participated in Missouri’s 62nd annual Missouri Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., June 15–21. Local delegates representing Macon Electric Cooperative were Laina Bell - Bucklin, Kadence Leeper - Macon, Kendrick Hulett - La Plata, and Gianna Lolli - Macon. They were sponsored by Macon Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Macon, Missouri.

Youth Tour takes the best and brightest high school students from Missouri’s rural schools on an all-expense-paid trip to our nation’s capital. The seven-day tour provides students with an action-packed week of exploring the heart of American democracy, leadership development, and community engagement—all while building lifelong friendships.

“The Youth Tour is the highlight of the summer for many students, and we’re proud to send our best and brightest to our nation's capital to participate,” said Chris Massman, vice president of Member Services for the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives. “Each of these delegates will meet someone or see something that inspires them, and in some cases will create a path to their future career.”

Highlights of the trip included visits to the capitol building, walking tours of national monuments, visits to the Smithsonian Institution museums, Arlington National Cemetery, and the International Spy Museum. Students also enjoyed a sightseeing and dance cruise on the Potomac River with delegations from five other states.

Another highlight was Electric Youth Day, where over 2,000 Youth Tour delegates from across the country gathered for a special program hosted by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Attendees were inspired by motivational speakers and national leaders, including four-time Paralympic medalist and two-time world wheelchair basketball champion Mike Schlappi.

Since 1958, America’s electric cooperatives have sponsored more than 60,000 high school students on this life-changing journey. Macon Electric Cooperative is proud to continue this tradition, helping to develop the next generation of informed and engaged leaders.

For more information about the Missouri Electric Cooperative Youth Tour program, visit www.moyouthtour.com.