Teens from around the nation are headed to Washington, D.C., June 9-15 for the 2007 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, hosted by the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (NRECA). This annual event puts into action the cooperative principles of civic participation and engagement. The 1,462 high school juniors and seniors, who comprise a new record for participation, are among delegations from 44 states.

Representing Buckeye Rural Electric Cooperative are two outstanding local students: Sabra Clark, a post-secondary education major at the University of Rio Grande by way of Gallia Academy, and Andrea VanMeter, a sophomore at Ohio Valley Christian School.

Sabra is the daughter of Chris and Debra Davidson and Jeff Clark of Patriot. Andrea is the daughter of John and Kim VanMeter of Gallipolis.

Youth Tour participants, accompanied by more than 250 electric co-op chaperones, will see the sights and learn about the history of the United States and the electric co-op movement. They also will be exposed to first-hand insights into today’s most important issues through face-to-face visits with their congressional delegations on Capitol Hill.

This opportunity reflects the Youth Tour’s theme, “Commitment to Community,” according to Randy Dwyer, NRECA director of grassroots advocacy.

“The main goals of the Youth Tour are to teach the students of the values every electric cooperative brings to the communities they serve and to promote civic involvement,” Dwyer pointed out.

The congressional visits are part of the tour’s focal point, Youth Day, which features an inspirational keynote speaker, Mike Schlappi, a four-time Paralympics medalist. His personal message is: “Just because you can’t stand up, doesn’t mean you can’t stand out.”