Five high school students visited our nation’s capital or state capital this summer through the Washington Youth Tour and the Cooperative Youth Summit. These students learned more about civic engagement and electric cooperatives and had the chance to meet some of their elected representatives. The students were Jonathan Stewart (Kingdom Life Home Academy), Matthew Morris, David Montes (West-Oak High School), Maggie Blankenship (Pendleton High School), and Ava Alexander (Seneca High School).

Stewart, who attended Cooperative Youth Summit, won a $1,000 grant after his group placed first in a public speaking competition on the misuse of artificial intelligence in modern society.

High school sophomores and juniors can take part in one of these free week-long leadership experiences. Not only does it look great on college applications, but students will make friends and memories that can last a lifetime. Applications for 2026 will open at the start of next year.

The Washington Youth Tour is an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. for current high school juniors. More than 1,500 students from across the nation take part in the experience each June. They meet United States senators and representatives and explore museums, memorials, and monuments. The experience also provides the opportunity to get to know other student leaders from across South Carolina and the United States.

The Cooperative Youth Summit is an all-expense paid trip to Columbia, South Carolina for current high school sophomores. This four-day, three-night experience offers students the opportunity to enhance leadership skills, participate in team-building exercises, learn interesting information about electric cooperatives, learn how state government works, and spend time with students from across our great state. Cooperative Youth Summit is a great way to prepare applicants for the opportunity to attend Washington Youth Tour.