Incoming seniors Sarah Hults of Resurrection High School, Carly Jones of East Central High School, Madisyn Peterson of St. Martin High School, and Jeb Wells of Vancleave High School represented Singing River Electric at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Tour of Washington D.C. on June 15-21.
“Youth Tour has been the most amazing experience of my life,” Wells said. “It is a once in a lifetime trip, and I am so honored to have been given this great opportunity.”
The students and their fellow Mississippi attendees spent seven days in our nation’s capital with more than 1,800 students from electric cooperatives across the country. While in Washington D.C., they visited national landmarks including the World War II Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery as well as other scenic places in the area.
“This has been the trip of a lifetime,” Jones said. “The people that I have met while on this trip are truly Mississippi’s future leaders. Going forth from this trip, I feel that I have a firmer grasp on how our nation’s capital works. I am so grateful to have been given this amazing opportunity.”
SRE’s students met with Mississippi U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith and U.S. Representative Steven Palazzo and received a special tour of the U.S. Capitol and the Congressional House Floor hosted by U.S. Representative Michael Guest.
“My experience visiting our nation’s capital was absolutely amazing,” Peterson said. “I met some of the greatest friends that I hope to have for a lifetime while making memories that I will forever cherish. Thank you so much Singing River Electric and Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi.”
Hults, Peterson, Jones, and Wells were selected for the Youth Tour of Washington D.C. and a youth leadership workshop held in Jackson after being nominated by their schools and participating in a day-long Cooperative University and interview process.
“Youth Tour has inspired me and many others, to take an active role in my community,” Hults said. “The most special part of Youth Tour is not the tour, but the youth.”
Information for the 2020 program will be delivered in September to high schools serving Singing River Electric’s service area.
“It is an honor for Singing River Electric to annually participate in the Washington D.C. Youth Tour program,” said SRE general manager and CEO Brian Hughey. “This educational program provides an opportunity for local students to learn about history and government while building their leadership skills. We are proud to make this investment in these young leaders.”
As an electric cooperative, Singing River Electric is member-driven and built by the communities we serve. For more information, visit singingriver.com or join our social media conversations on Facebook/Instagram (SingingRiverElectric) and Twitter (SRECooperative).
