Flint Energies is proud to announce the four delegates who have been chosen to participate in the 2018 Washington Youth Tour (WYT), an all-expense paid leadership experience sponsored by electric membership cooperatives in Georgia.
For more than 50 years, the WYT has helped promising student leaders become exceptional young adults. According to Blair Brown, WYT Coordinator for Flint Energies, the Youth Tour was established with this purpose in mind – to inspire the next generation of leaders. This year’s tour, which takes place June 7-14, offers opportunities for students to meet policy makers, tour historic monuments and participate in leadership experiences, all while making new friends from across the state and the nation.
Teens on the tour are challenged to consider the part they play in government and the cooperative movement, to become engaged citizens and to learn about careers in public service. “These students represent the next generation of accomplished, involved leaders in our communities and state,” says Brown. “The chance to experience the nation’s capital, to see monuments and memorials honoring those who made sacrifices so we can live and worship in a free society, as well as surround themselves with other exceptional students who come from different parts of the state and country is a rare opportunity.”
The delegates went through a rigorous application process including a written exam and an interview.
The 2018 Flint Energies Washington Youth Tour Delegates are:
Justin Brannon, Junior at Marion County High School
Parents: Brian and Ramona Berryhill of Box Springs
Maddie Key, Junior at Houston County High School
Parents: Robby and Mary Key of Warner Robins
Julianne Moon, Junior at Marion County High School
Parents: Brian and April Moon of Buena Vista
Reed Resendiz, Junior at Warner Robins High School
Parents: Javier and Ginger Resendiz of Warner Robins
EMC leaders and former student delegates agree the Youth Tour has grown into an invaluable program that gives young Americans an experience that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Peyton Etheridge, a Warner Robins High School Senior and 2017 WYT delegate explained, “I learned so much about myself and our country and made so many friendships that I know will last a lifetime. The Washington Youth Tour was not just full of educational experiences but fun ones too!”
The 113 teen-delegates will gather in Atlanta to kick off the tour, spending time getting to know each other before departing for Washington D.C. When the group arrives in D.C., participants tour historic locations such as Mount Vernon, explore museums and monuments and meet with their elected officials to discuss the issues that are important back home. Georgia’s delegation will convene with more than 1,800 youth representing cooperatives across the nation and have the opportunity to mingle with peers from other states and exchange views concerning local and national issues.
Since 1965, the Washington Youth Tour has given 3,000 students in Georgia and more than 50,000 students nationwide the opportunity to take part in this memorable experience. The program was initially implemented at the request of President Lyndon Johnson to “send youngsters to the nation’s capital where they can actually see what the flag stands for and represents.”
Applications for the 2019 Washington Youth Tour will be available at www.flintenergies.com in January 2019. For questions regarding WYT or other educational programs that Flint sponsors, please contact Blair Brown at 478.218.5547 or bbrown@flintemc.com.