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Youth Tour

Youth Tour

THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME

Nominate a Student Application Instructions Apply for Youth Tour

 

SWRE annually sponsors two high school juniors—one from Oklahoma and one from Texas—to attend Youth Tour, a week-long, all-expenses-paid trip to Washington D.C. Students travel with the Oklahoma and Texas delegations to our nation’s capital, tour historic sites and national landmarks, meet state congressional leaders, and more. Youth Tour is affectionately known as the “trip of a lifetime” by former Youth Tourians and is one of SWRE’s most-anticipated youth events of the year.

Altus • Blair • Chillicothe • Crowell • Electra • Frederick • Harrold • Navajo • Northside • Snyder • Tipton • Vernon

HOW TO APPLY

The annual Youth Tour Contest is open to high school juniors living in or attending school in SWRE’s service territory. Children and grandchildren of SWRE employees and board members are not eligible to apply.

Click here to nominate a deserving high school junior.

We'll make sure the nominee knows about the contest and you will be entered to win a $100 cash prize! The more students you nominate, the more chances you have to win!

DEADLINE EXTENDED: Student applications are due online by December 8!

The 2023 Youth Tour Application includes:

  1. Community Project Business Plan (~20 minutes to complete)

  2. Legislative Letter (~20 minutes to complete)

  3. 1-2 Minute Video on the Cooperative Difference (~15 minutes to complete)

  4. General Student Info & Photo/Video Release (~5 minutes to complete)

(Approximate completion times are based on an applicant who has previewed the application instructions and prepared potential concepts for the three portions of the application. Applicants who have fully prepared ideas and supporting information for the three sections can likely finish the online application in ~15 minutes.)

Download the Application Instructions here.

Applicants MUST be available these dates: 

  • February 2, 2023 - Finalist Speech/Interview Competition

  • March 13, 2023 - Leadership Summit

  • June 16-23, 2023 - Oklahoma Youth Tour to Washington D.C.

  • June 11-19, 2023 - Texas Youth Tour to Washington D.C.

Apply Here!

Finalists Competition:

Eight finalists will deliver speeches (2-3 minutes) on the Cooperative Difference and complete an interview over their Legislative Letters and Community Projects in front of a panel of independent judges. This will take place the evening of Thursday, February 2, 2023 at SWRE headquarters in Tipton, OK. All finalists will receive a $250 cash prize after delivering a speech/interview. Instructions on the speech/interview portion will be provided for finalists once they are selected.

*Participation in the speech/interview portion of the contest is required to remain eligible for any of the prizes.*

Questions? Call Rebecca Chambless, SWRE's Youth Coordinator, at 1-800-256-7973.

PRIZES

Winners (one from Oklahoma and one from Texas): a week-long, all-expenses paid trip of a lifetime on Youth Tour in Washington D.C. in June 

Runners-Up (one from Oklahoma and one from Texas): entry to OAEC’s Leadership Summit in March + scholarship for attending

All Finalists: $250 cash prize after delivering a speech/interview

Nominators: $100 cash prize for each finalist you nominate that delivers a speech/interview

 Lauren Akin visits the White House

'22 OK Youth Tour Participant

Lauren Akin, Frederick High School

 
OK delegation on Capitol Hill
TX delegation at the White House
Previous Next

 Abby Kirkland visits the White House

'22 TX Youth Tour Participant

Abby Kirkland, Crowell High School

Tags
  • youth tour
  • youth tour contest
  • washington d.c.
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    Contact Info

    Southwest Rural Electric Association, Inc.
    700 N. Broadway | P.O. Box 310
    Tipton, OK 73570

    Office: 1-800-256-7973

    Outage Hotline: 1-833-590-0353

    24/7 Automated Phone Line: 1-833-890-9510

    About Us

    Southwest Rural Electric is an electric cooperative headquartered in Tipton, Oklahoma. SWRE's service area includes 3,103 miles of power line and 7,610 active meters in 6,000 square miles across southwest Oklahoma and north central Texas. 

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    ©2023 Southwest Rural Electric Association. All Rights Reserved.

    • Home
    • About Us
      • My Cooperative
      • Board & Leadership
      • Annual Report
      • Bylaws
      • Energy Mix
      • District Map
      • Rates
      • Safety
      • Cooperative Principles
      • Non-Discrimination Statement
      • About Touchstone Energy
      • Careers
      • Contact Us
    • Community & Youth
      • Trading Post
      • Operation Round Up
        • ORU Shooting Sports Fundraiser
      • Youth Tour
      • Leadership Summit
      • Energy Camp
    • Member Services
      • Apply for Service
      • Payment Options
      • Outages
      • Member Meetings
      • Products & Rebates
      • Capital Credits
    • News
      • Power Source Newsletter
      • Recent News
    • Resources
      • Energy Assistance Programs
      • Solar Calculator
      • Forms
      • Safety Quiz
      • Together We Save
      • Call Before You Dig