Energizing Our Future

Each year in June, an action-filled week provides high school students opportunities to learn firsthand what it is like to be involved in politics, community service and today's pressing issues. The theme of the 2008 Youth Tour was "Commitment to Community." Highlights included meeting with their elected representatives in the U.S. House and Senate to discuss the process of government and issues of the day and increasing their knowledge of cooperative electric utilities and American history.

The Rural Electric Youth Tour has been a joint effort of local electric co-ops, the South Dakota Rural Electric Association and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Arlington, Va., for more than 40 years.

The students had the experience of a lifetime working with peers from other states and the NRECA staff during the Washington stay.

In addition to seeing historical monuments and museums, students learned about the role of electric cooperatives in the energy industry.

All the state groups convened for National 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 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 an amazing portrayal of a very influential United States senator who authored the laws creating the Tennessee Valley Authority and Rural Electrification Act in the early 1930s. Former Nebraska State Sen. David Landis tells the story of the late U.S. Sen. George W. Norris, R-Neb., in character, explaining the formation of and the politics surrounding the creation of electric cooperatives and the Rural Electrification Act.

Since 1964, the nation's electric cooperative utilities have sponsored more than 40,000 high school juniors and seniors for visits to their U.S. congressional delegations, energy and grassroots government education sessions and sightseeing in Washington. NRECA is the national service organization representing the nation's more than 900 private, not-for-profit consumer-owned electric cooperatives. For more information, please go to http://www.youthtour.org

Butte Electric Cooperative will choose one student per year to represent the cooperative. In order to qualify for the chance to take part, you must presently be a sophomore or junior student, and your parents or guardians must be a member of Butte Electric Cooperative. The trip winner will be chosen from an application, essay and interview. Further information and applications can be obtained from your high school guidance counselor or by contacting Butte Electric Cooperative.

2008 Tour Winner
Sean Bestgen, a junior at Sturgis Brown High School was chosen to represent Butte Electric Cooperative at the 2008 Rural Electric Youth Tour to Washington D.C. Sean joined other South Dakota students to team up with 1,200 teens from around the country in Washington D.C. where they will learned about the area, U.S. government, the cooperative philosophy and rural electrification. They also had a breakfast briefing with South Dakota’s congressional delegation and an opportunity to job shadow in the delegation’s offices.

Sean is the son of Tim and Karen Bestgen of Whitewood, SD. He is active in band, winning several honors, is on the honor roll, took first place in the 2007 Science Fair, and recieved the 2007 Governor’s Luncheon Award. Congratulations Sean.

Click below for a slideshow of the Washington DC Trip.