Students Earn Trip of a Lifetime to Washington, D.C.

4 local students will pack their bags for an unforgettable journey to our nation’s capital this summer. Lexie Davis, Lincoln Gates, and Taya Martinez from Buena Vista and Samantha Bernsen from Cotopaxi secured their spots on the 2026 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. Sponsored by Sangre de Cristo Electric Association (SDCEA), this experience offers these young leaders a front-row seat to American history and government in action.

The adventure begins in Denver, where the group will join approximately 40 other student delegates from electric cooperatives across Colorado. They will start by exploring our state government and the role of local electric cooperatives before flying to Washington, D.C. Once there, they will meet with more than 1,800 high school students from rural communities across the United States for a week of intensive learning and exploration.

The itinerary is packed with educational seminars and visits to iconic landmarks. Students will walk through the halls of the Smithsonian, pay respects at Arlington National Cemetery, stand before the Lincoln Memorial, and visit Mount Vernon. Beyond sightseeing, the tour provides a rare opportunity for students to meet directly with their representatives in the House and Senate, fostering a deeper understanding of the democratic process.

The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour traces its roots back to 1957, when Senator Lyndon B. Johnson inspired the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association to bring rural youth to the capital. He declared that young people should see what the flag stands for and represents. Since then, the program has grown from a single busload of Texas students into a massive nationwide youth leadership event coordinated by NRECA.

SDCEA selects participants based on a written essay demonstrating why they are the right candidates for this leadership opportunity. The trip fosters new friendships, builds leadership skills, and educates the next generation in our community on the vital role of electric cooperatives.

For students interested in future tours, applications open on the SDCEA website in early October, with submissions due by the beginning of January.