Eighty-eight high school juniors, last week, participated in Missouri's 49th Annual Electric Youth Tour to Washington, DC. Delegates sponsored by Farmers Electric Cooperative were Devanne McCoy of Norborne and Mason Kiehl of Meadville.

The six-day tour provided high school students opportunities to learn first-hand what it is like to be involved in politics and community service. Highlights included a visit with Congressman Sam Graves to discuss the process of government and issues of the day while increasing knowledge of cooperative electric utilities and American history.

The teens also toured famous monuments, the Smithsonian Institution's museums, and Arlington National Cemetery. The group also took a sightseeing and dance cruise on the Potomac River with delegates from other states.

Other events of the week included participation in "Electric Youth Day", during which a program coordinated by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association brought together over 1,500 Youth Tour delegates from across the United States.

The delegates heard speeches by government leaders and motivational speakers, including Mike Schlappi, a four-time Paralympic medalist and two-time world wheelchair basketball champion.