Once a year, two local high school students are selected by Southern Rivers Energy to represent our cooperative and state as delegates on the Washington Youth Tour. This top-notch leadership experience and tour of Washington, D.C., includes meetings with state and national leaders, leadership training, as well as visits to all the major sights. Participants join over 1,400 other students from around the nation—all expenses paid—for one incredible week in our nation’s capital.

ELIGIBILITY

Open to high schoolers in Bibb, Coweta, Crawford, Lamar, Meriwether, Monroe, Pike, Spalding, and Upson counties. Students must be 16 or older prior to the trip (by June 1st). (*Students who are seniors during the school year prior to the trip are still eligible. Students do not have to reside in a home served by SRE.) If you are interested in applying for or learning more about the Washington Youth Tour, please contact Kathryn Green at 770-358-5772.

2025 CONTEST SCHEDULE

• Application deadline (Must be in the SRE office by 5 p.m.): Monday, Feb. 3.
• Interviews for the highest-scoring individuals: Thursday, Feb. 13, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Trip dates: June 15-20

2025 CONTEST RULES:

After studying the provided materials, create a video (under 4 minutes) covering information about the history of rural electrification, Southern Rivers Energy, and the U.S. government. The topic of your submission is: What did you learn from the study materials, and why should you represent Southern Rivers Energy on the Youth Tour?

Submissions will be judged on the following basis:

• Knowledge of material: 35 points
• Composition and grammar: 15 points
• Originality and Creativity: 40 points
• Adherence to all of the instructions: 10 points

Submit your video in hard copy (jump drive) or electronic format to Southern Rivers Energy at kathryn@srivers.net. Be sure to include the WYT application with your submission.

Applications may be dropped off or mailed to:

• Southern Rivers Energy
• Attn: Youth Tour - Kathryn Green
• 1367 Highway 341 S
• Barnesville, GA 30204

Entries may also be emailed to kathryn@srivers.net.

Your video submission is due by Feb. 3 at 5 p.m. at our headquarters on Hwy 341 S. in Barnesville. The highest-scoring students will be invited to participate in the interview process beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Feb. 13. Students must score at least an 80 to qualify for the interview. The interview will be judged on personality, knowledge of study packet information, communication ability, appearance and poise, leadership qualities, and goals. Please dress appropriately, as if you were going to a job interview. Students are free to leave after their scheduled interview. Two students will be selected to win a trip to Washington, D.C., from June 15-20.

2025 STUDY GUIDE: 2025 Study Guide.pdf

WHAT TO SUBMIT:

• 2025 WYT Application.pdf
• Your video submission

HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF A VIDEO SUBMISSION: WYT Submission Video

VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE 2024 YOUTH TOUR: 2024 Washington Youth Tour Photos