2012 United Youth Tour Competition Applications Process Runs Jan. 1- Feb. 24 (NOW CLOSED)
Two Area High School Students Will Win Trip to Nation’s Capital
Youth Tour contest gives students a chance to learn about the flag and the importance of democracy.
With the pressures of today’s hectic pace of life, important elements that were once the focal points of our nation and its people are often overlooked. Two consist of the United States flag and the democracy on which our government was founded and thrives today. Continuing its longstanding commitment of providing young people in its communities an opportunity to learn more about the significance of those two items, United Cooperative Services will again sponsor an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for two lucky, deserving high school students. They will join more than 100 other Texas high school students comprising the Texas delegation.
Known as the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, electric co-ops have brought high school students to the nation’s capital every June since the late 1950s. The opportunity was built on the belief that textbooks and lectures alone are not enough to help young people understand the democratic process and gain the skills necessary to become tomorrow's leaders.
The two students are selected via a contest. The objectives of the Youth Tour are three-fold:
- To educate youth on all aspects of rural electrification in order to promote a better understanding of the value of rural electric cooperatives.
- To provide an opportunity for youth to visit monuments, government buildings and cooperative-related organizations in order to become familiar with the historical and political environment of their nation’s capitol.
- To provide an opportunity for youth to meet elected officials in order to better understand how their federal government works.
Youth Tour Contest Rules
This contest is open to high school sophomores, juniors and seniors who attend a high school full-time in United's service area. The applicant is not required to be a member of United Cooperative Services. Winners of any past Youth Tour are not eligible to enter and immediate family members of United employees or directors are not eligible to enter.
Each contestant must complete and submit an application and original submission.
Original submissions must be submitted to United via e-mail to the following address: YouthTour@united-cs.com. Online applications and original submissions must be received by February 24, 2012. Applicants must submit two letters of reference (one of which must come from a current teacher, principal or counselor) by February 24, 2012.
The original submission must be submitted via e-mail at YouthTour@united-cs.com by February 24, 2012. The original submission will consist of either a one- to two-page orginial essay or power point presentation of no less than 10 slides on your chosen topic of the three listed below. All submissions become the property of United.
1. Less than 100 years ago, most people living in rural America did not have electricity in their homes. In your opinion, what are the major benefits of electricity and belonging to an electric cooperative?
2. In today’s world, managing energy use has become vital for a number of reasons, including climate change, energy independence and for reducing the costs people incur each month in using this vital commodity. Share why managing energy use—using electricity wisely and energy conservation—are important now and in the future?
3. All cooperative businesses adhere to seven guiding principles (as listed on United's Web site) and United in particular shows a great dedication to educating the youth in our local communities. Please explain why you think these cooperative values are important.
The top applicants will be notified by February 29, 2012. These applicants will be required to submit a parental release form, which must be mailed directly to United. United's two winners will be selected by an internal panel of judges on or before March 9, 2012.Winners will be required to submit additional information online at www.texas-ec.org/ytour by March 16, 2012. Mail the documents to: United Cooperative Services; Attn: Youth Tour; P.O. Box 16; Cleburne, TX 76033, or drop them off at one of the cooperative's seven offices.
The Youth Tour trip will take place June 14-22, 2012.
United's Involvement
The trip includes airfare, transportation, lodging, meals, insurance and admission charges associated with the tour. The participants will be responsible for any additional spending money for snacks, souvenirs, etc.
United's two winners will join approximately 100 students from across Texas. When the students arrive in Washington, they will join roughly 1,500 students from across the nation.
