Patricia Stehling, Communications Assistant , Central Texas Electric Co-op
Three high school students from the Central Texas Electric Co-op service area will be selected to participate in the Annual Government-in-Action Youth Tour on June 11-19, 2023. Through this trip, students gain a personal understanding of American history as well as their role as a U.S. citizen. In 1957, the senator and future president Lyndon Baines Johnson inspired the Youth Tour when he addressed the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Annual Meeting in Chicago, “If one thing comes out of this meeting, it will be sending youngsters to the national capital where they can actually see what the flag stands for and represents.” Eligible high school students can submit an essay for a chance to win a spot on the trip of a lifetime. The deadline for essays to be submitted is January 27, 2023. Participation is open to high school students who have completed their sophomore year by May 2023. Youth Tour is a fun filled trip to the U.S. capital with other students and chaperones provided by sponsoring cooperatives from across Texas. The fun starts in Austin, Texas, where participants will be visiting the Governor’s Mansion, the State Capital and the Bob Bullock Museum before departing for Washington D.C. Some of the stops in the U.S. Capital include the National Cathedral, Pentagon City Mall, Arlington Cemetery and Wreath Laying Ceremony, seeing a performance at the Kennedy Center, Mount Vernon, Union Station, Potomac Boat Cruise and Dance, Smithsonian Museums, FDR Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Capitol Hill, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, Sunset Parade at Iwo Jima, White House and much more! All expenses for the three winners on the tour (except personal items such as souvenirs, etc.) are paid by the co-op, and CTEC provides transportation to Austin.
Contest Rules
Essays of 500 words or fewer must be submitted in the CTEC headquarters office in Fredericksburg by 5 p.m., Friday, January 27, 2023. This year’s essay must answer the question: “As High school juniors and seniors, you could potentially be our next generation of co-op members. If you were managing CTEC, what would you do to reach younger and older members alike?” Winning essays are selected by independent judges and will be evaluated on originality, knowledge of topic, composition, neatness and grammar. Two alternates will also be named, in the event that a winner is unable to attend the tour. Additional details, information and entry forms are available from your local high school or online at <ctec.coop>.