2026 Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., scheduled June 15-20
Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric seeking applicants; will sponsor two eligible students
Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric is accepting applications from eligible high school sophomores or juniors for an all-expense paid trip, valued at approximately $4,000, to Washington, D.C., for the 2026 Youth Tour, June 15-20.
The tour is coordinated through the Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA) and hosted by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Participating cooperatives sponsor a member student(s) to travel to Washington, D.C., learn about cooperatives and our government, tour historical sites, and have fun meeting new friends from Minnesota and other delegates from across the nation.
To be eligible, the entrant must meet the following requirements:
1. The entrant is currently a high school sophomore or junior, and their parent(s)/guardian(s) are a Steele-Waseca member. Dependents of Steele-Waseca employees or directors are not eligible to participate.
2. All entries must include: a) the completed application form below; b) selfie/video response to the 3 questions lasting at least 2 minutes in length total (not to exceed 3 minutes); c) two letters of recommendation (one from an instructor, counselor or administrator, and the other from a church or community leader).
3. Videos may be emailed to Member Services Supervisor Randy Sobrack at rsobrack@swce.coop. Applicants may either mail, email, or drop off the application form and letters of recommendation to: Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric, c/o Youth Tour 2026, PO Box 485, Owatonna, MN 55060. Entries must be received in Steele-Waseca’s office on or before Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. The two Youth Tour recipients will be notified by Wednesday, March 11, 2026. All entrants completing the application requirements will be entered into a drawing for a $250 gift card that will be announced at Steele-Waseca’s annual meeting Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
Each entry will be evaluated by a panel of judges for the personality and communication exhibited in the video response to the three listed questions within the time requirement, and to learn more about you from your letters of recommendation.
Responses to the following questions:
1. Why would you like to be Steele-Waseca’s delegate for the 2026 Youth Tour? What do you hope to gain from the experience?
2. What activities do you enjoy most at school? Note letters and honors earned, positions held, etc.
3. How do you contribute to making your community a better place to live whether it’s through your school, church, community service, or being employed?
MREA is requiring each participating cooperative’s delegate(s) report to the Crowne Plaza Airport located at 3 Appletree Square in Bloomington for an orientation session Monday, June 15, presently at 9:30 a.m. An afternoon flight to Washington, D.C., will follow the session.
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