The Kentucky Rural Electric Washington Youth Tour

Farmers members enjoy chance of a lifetime on Washington Youth Tour

For Alex Bradley, it was a chance to “see things I would never see in my life.”

For Lauren Ellis, it was becoming “more comfortable getting to know new people and stepping out of my comfort zone.”

For Blake Norris, it was learning “the world is a lot bigger than I ever thought.”

For Elliott Shipley, it was developing “a new appreciation of our government.”

For Heather Huff, it was meeting “lifelong friends I will never forget.”

For all of Farmers RECC’s 2010 Washington Youth Tour representatives, the week of June 11-18 was unforgettable and life-changing.

Seven Farmers RECC members were among the record 89 high school students from across the state who participated in the 39th annual Kentucky Rural Electric Washington Youth Tour.

Each year, co-op members who have just completed their junior year of high school are selected for the all-expenses-paid, week-long trip to our nation’s capital on the basis of scholastic merit, extracurricular involvement, community leadership and essay writing skill.

“Farmers RECC is always proud of the delegation we send to Washington, D.C.,” said Bill Prather, president and CEO. “These seven outstanding young people are our future community leaders and it’s comforting to know we will be in good hands.”

The co-op youth tour serves a variety of purposes, including educating students about the role of electric cooperatives, encouraging their appreciation for and understanding of government, enriching their knowledge of U.S. heritage, and building leadership skills.

The seven local students joined 89 Kentuckians, who then met up with more than 1,500 students from 46 states for an action-packed week of sightseeing, meeting with congressmen on Capitol Hill, cruising the Potomac at moonlight, and participating in national Rural Electric Youth Day.

“The experience was amazing,” said Elliott Shipley. “No one can describe and no picture can show the beauty of the monuments and the feeling you get when seeing the capitol of our country. It gave me an overwhelming sense of patriotism and pride in our country. Thinking about the history and important legislation that came from that building that has shaped our country, was exhilarating.”

“The best part for me definitely was meeting so many new people from different places,” Alex Bradley said.

 “My favorite part was the boat ride on the river because I have never been on a ship that size and with so many people,” Blake Norris said.

“My favorite part was seeing the White House and going to the Smithsonian museums,” said Lauren Ellis. “It was awesome to think that in the White House, so many important Presidents have lived and have left their impression on the nation. The Smithsonian was incredible to see all the different artifacts and just know that this is what you study in class.”

There is no doubt that the fun was plentiful, the education rich, and the memories enduring.

“It was the greatest trip I have ever been on,” Blake said. “This experience taught me so much about the outside world from my small world of Kentucky, and how the world is a lot bigger than I ever thought. It has shown me that I need to get to planning for my future.”

Elliott said she has emerged from the Youth Tour a more well-rounded person. “In the future I will have a better ability to make connections and friendships with people from across the United States, because of the people I met and encountered while on the trip.”

Lauren called the experience “amazing,” adding “there’s nothing I would change about it. The chaperons were really good and everyone on the trip was really nice and fun to be with.”

Heather said she has “not stopped talking about D.C.” since she got home. “The experience was seriously beyond words,” she said.  I loved every momentof it. The experience isdefinitely something that I will always keepclose to my heart. I have seriously met lifelong friends that I will never forget and I am so happy and blessed that I got the opportunity to take this trip.”

Alex believes because of the tour, his future plans will most likely include teaching history. “I am really interested in history and this trip opened up my mind to that,” he said. “I thought it was one of the best experiences in my life. I not only got to see things I would never see in my life, but I met people I am never going to forget.”

Farmers RECC sponsors the Washington Youth Tour along with 21 other Touchstone Energy cooperatives in Kentucky, the Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives, and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.