Each year electric membership cooperatives (EMCs) across Georgia send delegates to Washington D.C. as part of the Washington Youth Tour.  This incredible adventure is an opportunity for high school students to grow as leaders and experience a trip of a life time.

This year’s event takes place June 8-15, 2017. 

Hundreds of EMCs across the country, including Grady EMC, will be sending participants to Washington D.C. for a chance to learn about the cooperative business model and enjoy a full week of visiting the nation’s most treasured memorials and monuments.

According to Donnie Prince with Grady EMC, inspiring future leaders is at the core of the Washington Youth Tour. Since 1964, more than 50,000 young Americans from across the country have taken advantage of this special opportunity offered by their local electric cooperative.

This year, approximately 115 high school juniors across Georgia will be selected for this week-long trip. The tour is not just an opportunity to visit the nation’s capital, but also a chance to gain crucial leadership skills and interact with fellow delegates from varying backgrounds and geographies.

As a student, your voice matters and you can make that known by discussing important issues with elected officials during the trip.

“Meeting our legislators in Washington is just one of many activities that teen delegates experience during the week,” said Donnie Prince with Grady EMC.  “This trip changes participants’ perspectives and benefits them far into the future. “

To participate in the Washington Youth Tour, you must be at least 16 years of age and be a high school junior in Decatur, Grady or Thomas County.  Grady EMC will sponsor one student in each of these three counties in our service area.  To apply for the WYT, contact your school’s guidance department. 

Each school has a WYT coordinator to assist interested students.  An interview process and a written resume will be utilized to determine the winners.  Applications must be received by March 3.