Thirty-six high school students representing 22 electric cooperatives traveled to Washington, D.C., from June 15 to 21 for the 2025 South Dakota Rural Electric Youth Tour. Central Electric Cooperative's Youth Tour representatives were Harbor Blindauer of Mitchell, daughter of Joe and Cathy Blindauer, Rosie Choc of Plankinton, daughterof PabloandRosa Choc, Raniyah Dakam of Pukwana, daughter of Dakam and Rabia Dakam, and Mercedes Jones of Alpena, daughter of Jon and Katie Jones.
The annual trip, coordinated by the South Dakota Rural Electric Association (SDREA) and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), gives students an up-close look at the nation's capital and how government works. More than 1,300 South Dakota students have participated in the Youth Tour since the program began in the 1960s.
Throughout the week, students visited historical landmarks and museums, including the U.S. Capitol Building, the U.S. Supreme Court, Arlington National Cemetery, the Washington Monument, the National Archives, Ford's Theater and the National Museum of American History.
While in Washington, students met with U.S. Senators John Thune and Mike Rounds. They also had the opportunity to connect with Youth Tour delegates from 44 other states. The group attended Youth Day at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, where keynote speaker Mike Schlappi, a four-time Paralympic medalist in wheelchair basketball, spoke on the power of perseverance and leadership.
The South Dakota Rural Electric Youth Tour provides students with a deeper understanding of history, civic engagement and the role of electric cooperatives in their communities. High school juniors can apply for the next Youth Tour trip in November. For more information, visit www. centralec.coop and click on Member Programs.