The Kentucky Rural Electric Washington Youth Tour

Four Farmers RECC members were among the 69 high school students from across the state who participated in the 37th annual Kentucky Rural Electric Washington Youth Tour held June 13-20, in Washington, D.C.

Cody Zimmerman, of Glasgow, Ally Hensley of Horse Cave, Lindsay Highbaugh of Munfordville, and Kellie Slinker, of Center, were selected on the basis of scholastic merit, extra-curricular activities and essay writing skill.

The four students joined hundreds of students from across the United States in an action-filled week in which they were provided the opportunity to learn first-hand what it is like to be involved in politics, community service, and today’s pressing issues.  The theme of the 2008 Washington Youth Tour was “Commitment to Community.

The students met with their elected representatives in the U.S. House and Senate to discuss the process of government and issues of the day, and participated in activities that increased their knowledge of cooperative electric utilities and American history.

The Kentucky Rural Electric Washington Youth Tour is conducted by the Louisville-based Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives (KAEC) on behalf of 22 participating Kentucky electric distribution cooperatives.  The activity is part of a larger, nationwide youth program sponsored by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) that brings almost 1,500 high students to the nation’s capitol each year.

Hensley said she had the experience of a lifetime meeting with peers from other counties and states and with the KAEC and NRECA staffs during the Washington stay.

“While in Washington, DC, I met people from all corners of the country and visited historical monuments, museums and Capitol Hill,” said Highbaugh.  “I learned so much about the role of electric cooperatives in the energy industry.”

“What I learned on the Washington Youth Tour makes me proud to be an American and to show that America’s young people are involved and care about this country and our

“I will treasure the many memories and learning experiences from this trip for the rest of my life,” Zimmerman said.

In addition to taking in the sights and sounds of the nation’s capital, the Kentucky students joined students from around the country for NRECA’s Youth Day on June 16 to learn from public figures and other inspirational speakers. This year’s Youth Day agenda included Mike Schlappi, a four-time Paralympic Medallist and two-time world Champion Wheelchair Basketball champion. Schlappi, president of Mike Schlappi Communications, shares his inspiring message for every American, young or old: “Just because you can’t stand up, doesn’t mean you can’t stand out.” 

The students were also treated to a portrayal of an influential United States Senator who authored the laws creating the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Rural Electrification Act (REA) in the early 1930s. Former Nebraska State Senator David Landis tells the story of the late U.S. Senator George W. Norris (R-NE), in character, explaining the formation of and the politics surrounding the creation of electric cooperatives and the Rural Electrification Act.

Since 1972, Kentucky’s electric cooperatives have sent more than 2,000 high school students to Washington, DC, for visits with their U.S. senators and representatives, energy and grassroots government education sessions, and sightseeing.

KAEC is the statewide service organization that represents Kentucky’s 26 not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives that provide electric service to nearly 2 million Kentuckians in 117 of the state’s 120 counties.  For more information about the Kentucky Rural Electric Washington Youth Tour, visit KAEC WYT Web site