2024 Youth Tour Recap
By Andrew Spratta, Member Services Coordinator
Not expecting to receive a call, Arieana’s February afternoon was shaping up to be a standard school day. When Watford City High School rising junior, Arieana Elliot, received the news that she was going on the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, the first people she told was her family.
“I was so shocked I won. I really wasn’t expecting to be picked.” Arieana said when asked what her reaction to the news was. “The first thing I did was tell my family who were just as excited as I was and couldn’t wait to hear more about Youth Tour.”
With her family in the loop, the countdown to the “Trip of a Lifetime” was on.
Arieana started her Youth Tour journey by submitting an application that included an essay response to the question: What moment in American history do you wish you had been a part of, and what would you have contributed? Arieana’s submission centered around the Women’s Rights Movement and how she would have enjoyed working alongside the women fighting for equal rights and ultimately, the right to vote. Alongside her thoughtful response to the essay question, Arieana was judged on academic accomplishments and community involvement.
Youth Tour Background
The Youth Tour program was founded by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) more than 50 years ago to increase young member engagement and allow teens from around the nation a chance to experience government in action.
Over the course of a week, high school students take in the sights, learn more about government, and hear firsthand how electric cooperatives impact the communities they reside in. Nearly 1,600 students, all sponsored by their own electric cooperatives, arrive in Washington D.C. to take part in Youth Tour. This year, North Dakota’s delegation of 16 students arrived June 15 for a jam-packed week filled with learning opportunities, networking events, and to walk the steps of our nation’s Capital.
Throughout the week, North Dakota’s Youth Tour delegates would visit some of the world’s best museums, historic sites and memorials, and meet with state representatives and senators.
Arieana's Personal Experience - Q&A
What better way to explain the sights and takeaways from the trip than hearing directly from our Youth Tour Delegate? Following the trip, Arieana shared her Youth Tour experience and the highlights of her experience.
Q: Washington D.C. has so much to offer, with each person finding something unique to learn from at each museum and memorial. What were you most looking forward to seeing while in D.C.?
A: I was really exited to see the White House and the Capitol. If I had to choose between those two, the White House was my favorite, but the Capitol Rotunda had so many cool paintings - especially the ceiling.
Q: The Apotheosis of Washington is really cool to see in person. It’s hard to believe someone was painting 180 feet in the air in 1865! Speaking of high-quality artwork, was there a particular museum that had a profound impact on you?
A: I think the Holocaust Museum impacted me the most. I remember during the museum tour, and after we left, everyone was so emotional and sad. The museum showed how horrible and impactful that time in history was and to see those artifacts in person instead of behind a textbook was really emotional. The recreation of the rail cars was so eerie.
Q: Seeing artifacts in person from such a tragic time in the World’s history is certainly a moving experience that also provides a deeper level of learning and understanding.
Part of the application for Youth Tour was an essay response. Your essay was centered around The Women’s Rights movement, were you able to learn more about that time in history while in D.C.?
A: I did! We were able to see the Bill of Rights and the Amendments like Women’s suffrage. I also learned more about Title IX and the impact it had on the education of women. Being in the same place where they were put those laws in place was so cool.
I couldn’t believe how small their writing was back then, and also how nicely they wrote.
Q: During the trip, you met students from all around the United States and collected or traded state pins with other states. Do you think your communication skills improved from this experience?
A: My communication skills definitely improved. I didn’t get all the state pins, but I think I got almost 25. It was so interesting the way people from different states communicated. Like their accents and just how they talk to people.
Q: As your first-time visiting Washington D.C., do you plan on returning and is there a specific place you’d like to spend more time if you had the chance?
A: I’ll actually be heading back to D.C. for the national youth leadership forum, law and CSI program! It was so nice being able to see all of the monuments before my next trip. I was shocked by how spread out they were and how big some of them are, especially the Washington Memorial. If I go back to D.C. again, I’d like to spend more time at the Holocaust Museum and the FBI Museum. There’s so much to take in there, I feel like I could spend the whole day at those museums.
Q: Now that Youth Tour 2024 has wrapped up, what would you tell other students who are considering applying for Youth Tour 2025?
A: I would say that it’s a trip of a lifetime and all the stuff is paid for so it’s a free trip to learn and bond with so many other people that are the same age as you. It’s also an opportunity to see parts of the country I’ve never seen before. You’ll get to learn so many new things while you’re there, I know I did!
Thank you MEC for selecting me for Youth Tour. It was the best trip I’ve ever been on!
How to Apply for Youth Tour 2025
Why is it important to be involved in your community, and how does that prepare you to be a future leader?
The application deadline for Youth Tour 2025 is January 17. The date of Youth Tour is June 14-20, 2025. Don’t miss the opportunity of a lifetime, apply today!