ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS
Win a Trip to Washington, D.C.
West Central Electric will once again sponsor three or four high school juniors on an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. Each June over 1,500 high school students from 44 states travel to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.
Throughout the week, participants will explore Washington, D.C., learning about government, cooperative principles and rural electrification. The students are selected and sponsored by their local rural electric cooperatives with the South Dakota Rural Electric Association (SDREA) coordinating the trip for 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’s congressional delegation.
Who is Eligible?
All area high school juniors whose parents are members of West Central Electric.
What Does It Cost?
West Central Electric along with the other participating local electric cooperatives fully fund the tour. The tour covers each participant’s transportation, accommodations, meals, entertainment, and sightseeing events. Students should bring their own spending money for snacks, souvenirs and other personal expenses.
When is it Held?
The weeklong trip will take place from June 17-23, 2027. Participants will meet for an orientation meeting on Thursday, June 17 at the Sioux Valley Energy Office in Brandon, S.D. and then bus to Minneapolis. The next morning the group will fly to D.C., explore the nation’s capital for five days, and then return to South Dakota on Wednesday, June 23. 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 which states the title of the essay, the entrant’s name and address, name of parent or guardian and the name of your school. Information may be picked up from your local school guidance counselor or from West Central Electric Cooperative headquarters in Murdo, SD. All essays must be received by West Central Electric on or before December 28th, 2026.
