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:
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Community Project Business Plan (~20 minutes to complete)
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Legislative Letter (~20 minutes to complete)
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1-2 Minute Video on the Cooperative Difference (~15 minutes to complete)
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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:
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February 2, 2023 - Finalist Speech/Interview Competition
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March 13, 2023 - Leadership Summit
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June 16-23, 2023 - Oklahoma Youth Tour to Washington D.C.
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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
