Sam Houston Electric Cooperative sponsored two local high school students this June on the Government-in-Action Youth Tour trip to Washington, D.C.
Laeken Carter and Veronica Ballou joined more than 1,700 of their peers in the nation’s capital to tour memorials and museums, speak to legislative staff, and learn about cooperatives. Created by electric co-ops, Youth Tour has provided a pathway for civic engagement for bright and promising students since the early 1960s.
Carter and Ballou’s experience began in Austin where they met other attendees and learned about the history of Texas cooperatives. “I did not know prior to the trip that Pedernales Electric [Cooperative] was the first electric cooperative in Texas,” Carter said.
“I think it’s incredibly cool that Texas was a leading force behind providing quality electric service to our small towns.” The students’ time in Washington included visits to the National Cathedral and the Lincoln and Korean War Veterans memorials. They also visited Capitol Hill, where they toured the Library of Congress and met staff of East Texas’ U.S. representatives.
“My favorite activity was visiting Capitol Hill and meeting with Jackie Olvera, Rep. Morgan Luttrell’s legislative director,” she said. “Sitting in Mr. Luttrell’s office, among seemingly countless more long hallways and tall doors, everything seemed larger than life. Ms. Olvera was an incredibly welcoming presence who gave insight into intricacies that are simply unavailable online.”
The trip left a lasting impact on Carter.
“I had no shortage of pride while getting to represent my cooperative and our state,” she said. “Youth Tour was inspiring, captivating and engaging.”
A couple of places in D.C. were particularly memorable for Carter. “I loved Mount Vernon; it was filled with history, and it was gorgeous,” she said. “I also had a lot of feelings about experiencing Arlington [National Cemetery]. I am more grateful than ever for our service men and women and will never forget their sacrifice.”
Carter said eligible students should apply for Youth Tour. “I wish all students could have this experience,” she said. “For me it was a trip of a lifetime where I learned, expanded my perspective and made lifelong friends from all over the country.”
To learn more about Youth Tour criteria and dates, visit SamHouston.net, click on the magnifying glass icon and search “Youth Tour.”
