Attention High School Juniors and Seniors
Win a Trip to Washington D.C.
Clay-Union Electric will be sponsoring 2 high school (juniors and seniors) on an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. each June, next trip will be in 2027. Over 1800 high school juniors and seniors travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in the Rural Electric Youth Tour. During the week, they learn about Washington, D.C., government, cooperative philosophy, and rural electrification. The students are selected and sponsored by their local rural electric cooperatives. The South Dakota Rural Electric Association (SDREA) coordinates arrangements for the South Dakota students.
Tour highlights include the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, U.S. Capitol, Ford’s Theatre, Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Iwo Jima Statue, National Archives, U.S Supreme Court, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial among other exciting sites. Students will also participate in a briefing with the South Dakota Congressional Delegation and a river boat cruise across the Potomac River.
Who is Eligible? All area high school juniors and seniors whose parents or guardians are members of Clay-Union Electric.
What Does It Cost? Clay-Union Electric, along with the other local electric cooperatives that participate in the week long event, funds the tour. The funding for the tour provides for each participant’s transportation, room and board, entertainment, and sightseeing events. Students are required to provide their own spending money (snacks and souvenirs).
When Is It Held? The week long trip will take place June 2027. Participants will meet for an orientation meeting prior to leaving on Sunday, then the group will bus to Minneapolis and fly the next morning to D.C. and return to South Dakota on the following Saturday. A commercial bus will be used for transportation while in D.C.
How do I Qualify? “Each Entrant must submit an essay, not to exceed 500 words, on the following topic: “If chosen as a youth tour delegate, you will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to experience and learn about America’s rich history. What moment in American history do you wish you had been a part of, and what would you have contributed?” All essays must be typed and include a cover sheet that states the title of the essay, the entrant’s name and address, name of parent or guardian, and the name of your school.”)
Please visit here in early 2027 and read your "Sparks" Cooperative Connections magazine for deadlines.
