Youth Tour
Why do electric cooperatives bring high school students to Washington? Because it is important to learn about the political process to interact with your government.
In the summer before their senior year, our local delegates will join more than 1,500 other students from across the country - all-expenses paid - for an incredible week in our nation's capital. The tour is a fast-paced leadership opportunity to see what makes America tick. Crawford Electric and the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives sponsor this program. To compete, high school juniors submit a short essay on a selected topic. Eight finalists are invited to a selection event in the spring where they demonstrate co-op knowledge and are interviewed by independent judges. The top four finishers become Crawford Electric's Youth Tour delegates to Washington. The four runners-up are awarded gift cards.
Cooperative Youth Conference & Leadership Experience (CYCLE)
Four local high school sophomores will learn more about electric cooperatives, Missouri government and leadership skills over four days in Jefferson City and St. Louis. They will join more than 100 Missouri students to debate a bill on the floor of the House of Representatives, participate in team-building activities and be inspired by motivational speakers. Stay tuned for more details about the application process.
YOUTH TOUR: June 14-20, 2026
CYCLE: July 14-17, 2026
Talk to your school coordinator for more information!
Bourbon High School - Patrick Horn and Trish Lewis
Cuba High School - Aminta Abdinova
Owensville High School - Daniel Golden
St. Clair High School - Garan McCuskey
Steelville High School - Natalie Pyatt
Sullivan High School - Katie Galvin
Union High School - Shelby Puls and Claire Feldmann
Viburnum High School - Nicole Hunt
Classroom Grants
Committed to the leaders of tomorrow, Crawford Electric awards classroom grants to area schools for participation in the Youth Tour program. Coordinators at each school, usually in the English department, help promote the program to the junior class. The teachers submit their school’s top three essays. Nine students are selected as finalists for the selection night event. The school receives a $200 grant for each CYCLE delegate and a $400 grant for each Youth Tour delegate. Teachers can use the grants in any way they feel benefits their students.
