Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative (CVEC) proudly sponsored 3 outstanding students on the prestigious Washington Youth Tour in June.
CVEC’s representatives Draven Culver, Aleah Pickett, and Bella Brown (below) experienced the annual National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) event alongside other high school students from across the country — exploring our nation’s capital, learning about American government, and gaining leadership skills.
The week-long journey in Washington, D.C. was full of long days visiting iconic landmarks such as the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and The White House. They explored the Smithsonian museums, walked the historic halls at the Library of Congress, and witnessed a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
“I got to see things I thought I never would,” Culver says.
These experiences provided them with a deeper understanding of the nation’s history, government, and the importance of civic engagement.
In addition to sightseeing, the Youth Tour provided opportunities for networking and team building, as well as inspirational speeches from both peers and mentors. The students enjoyed getting social on the dinner/dancing cruise and pin trading throughout the week.
Brown, who was initially nervous about making friends, remarked, “It’s amazing how many connections you can make when someone has a cute pin that you want.”
Upon their return, Culver, Pickett and Brown each expressed gratitude for the opportunity to attend the Youth Tour and the life-changing experiences they gained.
Pickett even shared how it influenced her future aspirations.
“This experience has influenced me so much. I am planning on attending college to become an electrical engineer,” she says. “I want to come back to CVEC so I can make a difference in my community.”
The representatives’ experiences in Washington, D.C. exemplify the Youth Tour’s mission and the cooperative spirit.