Lauren Akin from Frederick High School and Lilly Woodard from Northside High School get to spend a week in Washington, D.C., this summer on a trip that seasoned tourists would envy, thanks to Southwest Rural Electric.

Akin and Woodard were selected from among a pool of eight talented finalists in SWRE’s essay and speech contest. Their prize is a place on the 2022 Government-in-Action Youth Tour, an all-expenses-paid leadership trip to Washington, D.C., June 2022, with more than 1,900 students from across the country.

Youth Tour is a long and storied co-op tradition that fits into cooperatives’ mission to empower and enrich the communities they serve. Since the program’s inception in 1965, thousands of Oklahoma and Texas students have gone on the trip, which for many is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the monuments and museums of the nation’s capital, meet with elected officials, and forge lasting memories and lifelong friendships.

This year, Akin’s and Woodard’s adventures kick off by meeting their respective state’s delegations. Next, the winners are flown to Washington to begin a whirlwind tour of the nation’s capital, visiting Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon, the Smithsonian Institution, memorials and more. Activities include learning about rural electrification, going on a Potomac River cruise with dinner and dancing, and meeting with congressional representatives.

The trip lasts 7-10 days, but the experiences will shape participants’ lives for years to come.

By educating and mentoring the young people of our communities, SWRE hopes to provide today’s youths with the tools they need to become the leaders of tomorrow. Youth Tour is just one way we work toward that goal.

For more information about Youth Tour, visit SWRE.com/YouthTour or contact the cooperative’s marketing department.