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| While in D.C. the SVEC delegation met with Congressman Lincoln Davis during a breakfast in the Rayburn House building and with Senators Bill Frist and Lamar Alexander here on the Senate steps of the U.S. Capitol Pictured are: (front row) Cathy Black SVEC; Becca Blevins, South Pittsburg H.S.; Tara Anderson, Bledsoe Co H.S.; Cassie Powell, Whitwell H.S., Samantha Pratt, Marion Co. H.S. and Jan Stevens, teacher, Richard Hardy Memorial School. (back row) Johathan Caretto, Grundy Co. H.S.; Eric Byrom, Richard Hardy Memorial School; and Cayce Harper, Sequatchie Co. H.S. | A guided tour of the Library of Congress was also a highlight for 2007 delegation. Here the delegates are pictured in the lobby of the Great Hall. They are: front row, Jan Stevens, Samantha Pratt, Becca Blevins, Cassie Powell and Tara Anderson. Back row: Eric Byrom, Jonathan Caretto and Cayce Harper. |
Nearly 1,500 high school students from across the country participated in the 2007 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour June 8-14 in Washington, D.C. Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative’s 2007 delegation included: Tara Anderson of Bledsoe County High School, Jonathan Carreto of Grundy County High School, Samantha Pratt of Marion County High School, Eric Byrom of Richard Hardy Memorial School, Cayce Harper of Sequatchie County High School, Becca Blevins of South Pittsburg High School, Cassie Powell of Whitwell High School, Jan Stevens, Junior English teacher from Richard Hardy Memorial School and Cathy Black, SVEC communications specialist.
An annual tradition for more than four decades, the Youth Tour is a week long event packed with opportunities to learn first-hand what it is like to be involved in politics, community service and today’s pressing issues. Tennessee’s Youth Tour participants won spots on the expense-paid trip for writing the best short stories in their respective electric cooperative service areas. Titled “Electric Cooperatives: Where Tradition Powers Today,” the short stories were a way for the high schoolers to discover how their member-owned electric co-ops provide more than just electricity. Each cooperative remembers its founders’ principles to provide community and economic development, lighting the path to a better tomorrow.
While in Washington, Tennessee’s group saw historic monuments and memorials, explored the museums of the Smithsonian Institution, toured the homes of former presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson and enjoyed hot dogs and hamburgers at a Potomac Nationals minor-league baseball game. Other stops included Arlington National Cemetery, where the group laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, the Washington National Cathedral, museums honoring the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy and dinner at Toby’s Dinner Theatre.
This year’s trip also included meetings with elected representatives in the U.S. House and Senate to discuss the process of government and issues of the day. Representatives Marsha Blackburn of Franklin, David Davis of Kingsport and Lincoln Davis of Jamestown guided the group on an after-hours, VIP tour of the U.S. Capitol. Later in the tour, Tennessee’s Youth Tour contingent posed for photos with Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker on the steps of the Capitol, which was followed by a breakfast with Tennessee’s representatives in the Rayburn House Office Building.
In addition to taking in the sights and sounds of the nation’s capital, all the state groups convened for National Youth Day on Monday, June 11 to learn from pubic figures and other inspirational speakers. Mike Schlappi, a four-time Paralympic medalist, wheelchair-bound since he was shot at age 14, urged the audience to persevere in the face of life challenges. And former Nebraska State Sen. Dave Landis explained the origins and importance of electric co-ops as he portrayed U.S. Sen. George W. Norris of Nebraska, writer of the Rural Electrification Act of 1935.
Speaking to the convention, NRECA CEO Glenn English described the important commitment electric cooperatives have to their communities. “Electric cooperatives are truly unique and special and different … they represent the community. They’re not for profit. They’re there specifically for the purpose of helping the people who own the utility.” “Youth Tour is an eye-opening experience for these students as they meet their counterparts from co-ops across their states and around the country and experience the political process up close,” said Steve Uram, NRECA grassroots advocacy representative. “Participants learn that one person or a group of committed individuals can make a difference,” he added. “They learn that they can’t sit on the sidelines but have to get involved. That’s what the Youth Tour’s theme, ‘Commitment to Community,’ is all about.
”The 2007 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour was the largest in the 43-year history of the program. Additional information can be found at http://youthtour.coop.
