Christian Peterson
reporter.riverbendnews@gmail.com
The Youth Tour is a staple for students in the Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) area. Each year, students from the SVEC coverage area are chosen to go on the National Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. There, they partake in a plethora of events, including seeing the inside of some the United States' most famous buildings and immersing themselves in American history. It is a fantastic event that the exceptional students who have attended will never forget.
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), the host of the annual event, is now offering internships for youth tour alumni. “Don’t let your Youth Tour journey end when you return from D.C.,” the website reads. “Take advantage of our additional engagement opportunities to stay engaged with the NRECA, your statewide association, your local cooperative and the electric cooperative industry.” The NRECA is looking for 14 students to work in multiple different positions in D.C. for a paid internship over the summer. The positions include government relations, communications, information technology, finance and more. “This 12-week paid internship gives you hands-on experience and important D.C. connections and allows you to continue supporting the mission of electric cooperatives!” To apply for the internship, visit the NRECA website or email youthprograms@NRECA.coop for questions or details.
The offers don’t stop there, though, as the NRECA also offers a scholarship opportunity to youth tour alumni. The Glenn English National Cooperative Leadership Foundation has given out over $100,000 in scholarships since 2014, specifically to NRECA youth tour alumni. To be considered for the scholarship, one must be a U.S. citizen, a former participant in NRECA’s Electric Cooperative Youth Tour program, have received academic credits equal to one year of college, have completed at least one semester at an accredited university or college as a full-time student, be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited university or college by the application deadline, and be working on completing their first undergraduate degree. Applicants will be judged on their cumulative grade point average, internships and work experience, civic, volunteer and political activities, leadership roles pursued and or held, and involvement in cooperative-based programs and activities. The application cycle opened on Monday, March 3 and closes on Sunday, May 4. Winners will be announced in mid-July. To apply, visit the NRECA website.