It started with a neon shirt and a suitcase for 61 high school juniors from across Alabama. The 2025 Washington Youth Tour began not just as a trip, but a launching point that would shape their understanding of history, leadership, and themselves.
Each June, electric cooperatives across the country sponsor outstanding students for a weeklong leadership program designed to educate and empower the next generation of community leaders. This year, Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative was proud to send 3 remarkable students to represent our service area, joining hundreds of others from across the state and nation for a whirlwind week.
From the solemn grounds of Arlington National Cemetery to the beautifully preserved Mount Vernon estate, Alabama’s Youth Tour delegates were immersed in the powerful legacy of our nation’s past. They explored monuments, museums, and historic sites that brought their textbooks to life. Each stop deepened their understanding of the people, sacrifices, and stories that shaped America.
A particularly emotional highlight of the week was participating in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington, pictured to the left.
Throughout the week, students stood in reverence at memorials like the 9/11 Pentagon, World War II, and Vietnam Veterans, remembering the lives lost and the resilience of our nation while reflecting on the cost of freedom and the courage of generations before them. They toured the stunning National Cathedral, marveled at treasures in the Smithsonian Museums, heard the powerful stories shared at the Holocaust Memorial Museum, and walked the halls of the United States Capitol, where so many pivotal moments in American democracy have occurred.
A standout moment of the tour occurred when Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville met with the group and took the time to answer thoughtful questions from the students about public service, current state-level issues, and his journey from educator and football coach to public servant. Coach Tuberville answered candidly, offering insight and encouragement to the young leaders before him.
“I was grateful to serve as a Youth Tour representative. My trip to Montgomery and Washington D.C. will always be a memorable and long-lasting learning experience to cherish forever and always!” -Hannah Garrett, CVEC 2025 YT Representative
“This trip was so much better than I could’ve ever imagined! I learned a lot about our nation’s history and what it really means to be a leader. Thank you to CVEC and NRECA, who made this trip possible. I highly recommend all juniors give the essay contest a shot. It’s 100% worth it!” -Mac Tomlinson, CVEC 2025 YT Representative
In addition to observing leadership in Washington, the students also had the chance to participate in their own democratic process. Alabama’s 3 Youth Leadership Council (YLC) candidates gave speeches to the state delegation, outlining their values and vision for representing Alabama on the national stage. After hearing from each candidate, the students voted to elect the individual who would serve as Alabama’s official YLC representative– a meaningful exercise in peer-led democracy and civic engagement.
While the agenda was packed with educational and historical experiences, many students found the most meaningful moments came from simply connecting with each other. In between monument visits and leadership events, they experienced some of D.C.’s best entertainment and culture.
They cheered on the home team at a Washington Nationals baseball game, took in the precision and pageantry of the evening parade at Marine Barracks Washington, and enjoyed the National Harbor, where they rode the Capitol Wheel, shopped, and had several trips for ice cream. 1 of the most fun adventures was a multi-state dinner and dance cruise on the Potomac River, where student groups from several states came together for a night of music and memories.
As a chaperone and supporter of this program, it’s a joy to witness students step out of their comfort zones and into their potential,” Kylie Entrekin, CVEC Youth Tour Coordinator, says. “They arrive unsure, quiet, maybe even a little nervous. By week’s end, they’re engaged, inspired, and ready to lead. I love watching the transformation unfold.”
Each student selected for Youth Tour earns their place on this journey through hard work, thoughtful essays, interviews, and a deep understanding of cooperative values. They return with new ambition, lifelong friends, and the kind of experience you can’t learn in a classroom– ready to impact their schools, communities, and futures.
Do you know a student who should be next? Applications for the 2026 Youth Tour open to a school near you this fall. Encourage young leaders in your life to take a chance on the opportunity of a lifetime!
“The people I have met and the experiences I’ve had surpass every expectation I set. I so absolutely recommend Youth Tour to any and everyone. The future students have no idea how lucky and blessed they are.” -Danielle Prime, CVEC 2025 YT Representative
