HAYS COUNTY — As a participant in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Tour program, Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) will be selecting 10 high school students to attend the trip of a lifetime in Washington, D.C. where they will join more than 1,500 students from electric cooperatives across the country. PEC Youth Tour delegates will visit historical sites, meet their representatives and create lifelong friendships.

“We’re honored to provide this incredible opportunity to students across our service territory,” said Mikayla Herron, PEC community outreach specialist. “What we continue to hear from past participants is that the trip is life changing — whether by opening doors and building relationships or simply by showing students what’s possible. Many have even gone on to work in public service and government, so we’re thrilled to have played a role in inspiring their futures.

The deadline to apply is Jan. 4, 2024. PEC delegates selected for Youth Tour will attend the trip from June 16-23, 2024. While on the trip they will have the opportunity to:

• Tour historical sites, including Arlington National Cemetery, Capitol Hill, the Lincoln Memorial, Mount Vernon, the Smithsonian Institution, the U.S. Supreme Court, the Washington National Cathedral and more.

• Meet local political representatives and learn more about local and national government.

• Create lifelong friendships with students from all around the country.

To be considered, students must:

• Have completed their high school sophomore, junior or senior year by June 2024.

• Have a parent or legal guardian who is a PEC member in good standing.

• Be available to attend the trip June 16-23.

• Respond to two short-answer questions and provide a current resume by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 4.

Students are invited to learn more and apply at pec.coop/youth-tour.