Each year, four high school Juniors from Wa
rren, White, Van Buren and DeKalb Counties have an incredible chance to spend a week in our nation’s capital getting a front row view of government, leadership and public policy.
The Washington Youth Tour, sponsored by Caney Fork Electric Cooperative and the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, provides young leaders with an opportunity to explore Washington, D.C., learn about government and cooperatives and develop their leadership skills. Students are selected for the trip by writing a short story titled "Co-ops Connect" that explains how co-ops connect Tennessee communities with energy, education, economic development and more.
Youth Tour delegates also have the opportunity to win a share of $16,000 in scholarships from Caney Fork Electric and Tennessee’s electric cooperatives.
“The youth tour is an incredible opportunity for these students to actually experience history up-close and personal,” says Angel Wood, CFEC Communications Coordinator. “Delegates experience a whirlwind of a week, visiting museums, monuments and other landmarks.”
President Lyndon Johnson inspired the tour in 1957 when he encouraged electric cooperatives to send youngsters to the nation’s capital. In the years since, more than 6,000 young Tennesseans have been delegates for the Washington Youth Tour.
“Our commitment to community is what sets cooperatives apart from other businesses,” said CFEC General Manager Ben Newman. “The Washington Youth Tour is one way we show the youth of our service area that their co-op is more than their electricity provider. We genuinely care about the prosperity of our communities, and that includes providing special opportunities for these exceptional students and preparing them for future success.”
The Washington Youth Tour Creative Writing and Scholarship Competition is open to high school Juniors living in CFEC's service territory. Participating schools are listed below.
- Warren County High School
- White County High School
- Van Buren County High School
- DeKalb County High School
- Boyd Christian School, Warren County
- Covenant Academy, Warren County
Contact Angel Wood at 931.473.3116 or email awood@caneyforkec.com to learn more about the Washington Youth Tour.
