CVEC Youth Tour Reps Take D.C.
By Kylie Entrekin
CVEC Marketing & Digital Media Specialist
For 1 week in June, 3 local students traded classrooms for the nation's capital, walking the halls of history, standing in the shadow of monuments and making memories that will last a lifetime.
Shay Chatman of Winterboro High School, Jeffery Martin of Lincoln High School and Lillian DeLoach of Fayetteville School (pictured above from left to right) represented Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative on the 2026 Washington Youth Tour, joining more than 1,800 student delegates from electric cooperatives across the country for an immersive leadership and educational experience in Washington, D.C.
On June 14-20, the students explored some of the nation's most iconic landmarks, including Arlington National Cemetery, the U.S. Capitol, the White House, Mount Vernon, the Library of Congress, the National Archives and numerous monuments and memorials. They also attended leadership activities, met fellow students from across the country, and learned more about the cooperative difference.
For DeLoach, 1 of the most memorable parts of the trip was participating in the long-standing Youth Tour tradition of trading state pins with delegates from across the nation.
"My favorite part was trading pins," she said. "I was especially excited to get a pin from Maryland because that's my home state. That made it really special for me." Chatman said the friendships she formed throughout the week were among her favorite memories.
"I made so many new friends," she said. "Everyone was so nice, and it was fun getting to meet people from different states." She was also captivated by the beauty of the nation's capital. "There was so much beautiful scenery everywhere we went, but my favorite place was the Washington National Cathedral," Chatman said. "It was absolutely beautiful."
Martin, who participated in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (pictured above, far right), said the entire experience left a lasting impression on him."I am so grateful for the opportunity to go to Washington, D.C., through Youth Tour," he said. "Getting to see all the history and experience everything we did was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It's something I know I'll never forget."
In addition to touring historic sites, the delegates attended meetings with elected officials and congressional staff members, including an opportunity to see U.S. Sen. Katie Britt during their visit to Capitol Hill.
The week also included a Washington Nationals baseball game, the Marine Corps Sunset Parade, a dinner cruise aboard the Spirit of Washington and cooperative leadership programs designed to inspire the next generation of community leaders.
“Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative is proud of Jeffery, Shay and Lillian for representing the cooperative and their communities so well throughout the week,” said Kylie Entrekin, CVEC’s organizer of Youth Tour. “Their experiences on Youth Tour provided a firsthand look at American history, government and leadership while creating friendships and memories that will stay with them long after returning home.”
As 1 Youth Tour season comes to an end, another is just around the corner. Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative will soon begin the process of selecting delegates for the 2027 Youth Tour, visiting high schools throughout its service area to share information about the program. Open exclusively to high school juniors, Youth Tour provides students with the opportunity to travel to both Montgomery and Washington, D.C., to gain firsthand experience in government, leadership and public service. For more information about CVEC’s community projects, visit the Community page.
