Eligibility and Guidelines
- Be a current high school sophomore or junior at the time of application
- Reside in a home powered by Tri-County Electric Cooperative, at your primary residence
- Submit a complete application by Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. No late applications will be accepted.
- Applicants who advance to the interview level must attend a 15-minute interview with the Youth Tour Committee
- Selected participants must attend a pre-trip meeting with Co-op Staff in May 2024 and attend the Government-in-Action Youth Tour from June 16-24, 2024
- Complete the online application by Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
- 500-word essay on one of the following topics:
- If you could talk to a political leader, what would you ask and why? (Political leaders may include the President, Governor of Texas, Ag Commissioner, Representative, Mayor, etc.)
- Has the world of social media allowed our youth to advance leadership skills, or has it caused negative effects?
- Warren Bennis once said, "The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born - that there is a genetic factor to leadership. That's nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born." Do you agree with his stance? Why or why not?
- Two (2) letters of recommendation
- High-resolution headshot (to be used to announce winners)
About
Tri-County Electric Cooperative, in partnership with Texas Electric Cooperatives, sponsors six high school students on an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to tour historic sites, meet U.S. congressional representatives, gain leadership experience, and learn learn about the electric cooperative industry. Additionally, Tri-County Electric Cooperative's Youth Tour participants will receive a $2,000 scholarship for higher education or technical school.
Senator Lyndon B. Johnson initiated the Government-In-Action Youth Tour in 1957 so young people in rural America could "see what the flag stands for and represents." In 1965, Texas Electric Cooperatives organized the first official Texas Youth Tour.
Over 55 years later, the Youth Tour stands true to Johnson's dream and the cooperative spirit. Participants are able to interact with nearly 2,000 participants from across our great nation. Tri-County Electric cooperative is excited to offer this opportunity to our young members.
Useful Tips
-
Give the authors of your letters of recommendation at least two weeks’ notice before submitting your application
-
Use a solid-colored background for your headshot
-
Be sure to use proper grammar and run a spelling and grammar check before pasting your essay into the submission box
-
Have at least 2 – 3 others look at your essay (parents, teachers, etc.)
-
Ensure your essay is relevant to the prompt you have chosen
-
Make sure your essay answers all the prompt you have chosen asks
-
Be sure to site sources or paraphrase where you referenced information from other resources (this is not intending to say a bibliography is required)