Youth Tour
Why do electric cooperatives bring high school students to Washington? Because it is important to learn about the political process to interact with your government.
In the summer before their senior year, our local delegates will join more than 1,500 other students from across the country - all-expenses paid - for an incredible week in our nation's capital. The tour is a fast-paced leadership opportunity to see what makes America tick. Crawford Electric and the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives sponsor this program. To compete, high school juniors submit a short essay on a selected topic. Nine finalists are invited to a selection event in the spring where they demonstrate co-op knowledge and are interviewed by independent judges. The top three finishers become Crawford Electric's Youth Tour delegates to Washington; the six runners-up are invited to Missouri's Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience (CYCLE).
Cooperative Youth Conference & Leadership Experience (CYCLE)
Six local students will learn more about electric cooperatives, Missouri government and leadership skills over four days in Jefferson City and St. Louis. They will join more than 100 Missouri students to debate a bill on the floor of the House of Representatives, participate in team-building activities and be inspired by motivational speakers.
YOUTH TOUR: June 15-21, 2025
CYCLE: July 15-18, 2025
Talk to your teacher about entering the Youth Tour essay contest!
Bourbon High School - Patrick Horn or Trish Lewis
Cuba High School - Aminta Abdinova
Owensville High School - Daniel Golden, Amy Quartermous, Melanie Behrens or Donna Tull
St. Clair High School - Holly Click
Steelville High School - Natalie Pyatt
Sullivan High School - Katie Galvin
Union High School - Shelby Puls or Claire Smith
Viburnum High School - Nicole Hunt
Classroom Grants
Committed to the leaders of tomorrow, Crawford Electric awards classroom grants to area schools for participation in the Youth Tour program. Coordinators at each school, usually in the English department, help promote the program to the junior class. The teachers submit their school’s top three essays. Nine students are selected as finalists for the selection night event. The school receives a $200 grant for each CYCLE delegate and a $400 grant for each Youth Tour delegate. Teachers can use the grants in any way they feel benefits their students.
