Five local high school students were recently selected to receive a trip to Washington, D.C., sponsored by Dakota Electric Association. The winners are Emma Anderson, Eagan High School, Holly Anderson, Christian Life Academy, William Barnes, Lakeville South High School; Kyle Ringley, Christian Life Academy; and Kelsey Shaw, School of Environmental Studies. The students will participate in the National Rural Electric Association’s (NRECA) annual Washington, D.C. Youth Tour, scheduled for June 10-15. Theresa Passe, School of Environmental Studies was selected as an alternate.
Each June, more than 1,200 high school students from around the United States travel to Washington, D.C. for the NRECA Youth Tour. The participants are selected and sponsored by their local electric cooperatives. During the week, the students learn about government and electric cooperatives. They will have the opportunity to tour many of Washington, D.C.’s sites, including the Smithsonian, the FBI Building and the Vietnam Memorial, and they also have a chance to meet their elected officials.
“Dakota Electric is proud to sponsor local students to attend an event like the Washington, D.C. Youth Tour,” President and CEO Greg Miller said. “At this Youth Tour, some of the nation’s brightest students gather together to have fun and learn about our government.”
A panel of judges selected students after reviewing the student applications and interviewing them.
“We have a lot of quality students in our area and our judges always have a hard time narrowing it down to just five to go on the trip,” Peggy Johnson, Dakota Electric’s community relations director, said. “We thank all the students for applying.”
Each January, Dakota Electric makes applications available for high school juniors and seniors to apply for the Youth Tour program. Students should watch for information on the tour in Dakota Electric’s “Circuits” newsletter, visit the company’s website or talk to their school counselor about the trip.
A customer-owned, non-profit utility since 1937, Dakota Electric Association provides electricity to more than 105,000 members throughout Dakota County and portions of Goodhue, Rice and Scott counties. Dakota Electric, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative, serves its member/owners with integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community.
