Richter to represent Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric in Washington, D.C., for the 2024 Youth Tour
Langston Richter
Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric will be represented at the 2024 Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., by Langston Richter, a sophomore at Bethlehem Academy.
Langston is the son of Sherry Richter of Faribault. He submitted a video application for this year’s Youth Tour, which was a change implemented by Steele-Waseca to encourage more creativity in the application process. His video will be presented during the co-op’s annual meeting Tuesday, June 4.
Langston stated the Youth Tour is, “…a fantastic opportunity to learn more about cooperatives and dive deeper into one of my greatest passions which would be government.”
Bethlehem Academy Social Studies Teacher Christian Bjornson stated in his letter of recommendation, “Langston has continuously impressed me with his curiosity, intellect, character, and determination to succeed.”
Last spring, Langston’s National History Day project was chosen to advance to state competition at the University of Minnesota, where he received an honorable mention.
Langston has challenged himself this school year in studying for the Advanced Placement test in U.S. History.
Bjornson noted Langston is “heavily involved” in the Northfield chapter of Youth in Government and Model United Nations. “He has sought to grow membership in the program by delivering presentations to my classes and others at BA, encouraging his fellow students to take active leadership roles while having fun and meeting new people in the process,” wrote Bjornson.
Northfield Area Family YMCA Youth in Government Delegation Director Brent Horwart wrote, “Langston stands out among 80+ students in the Northfield Delegation because of his tendency toward servant leadership. Langston works hard not for himself, but for the benefit of his peers, and to uplift the rest of the delegation around him.”
Horwart also noted Langston’s empathy. “Langston does his best to put himself in others’ shoes. He works hard to remove obstacles that might make it harder for others to participate. He sincerely cares about enhancing the experience of his peers in any context, whether they be in our local delegation or strangers at a statewide conference.”
Langston has participated in the Cannon River Watershed Cleanup effort, and as a teen advisory board member for the Buckham Memorial Library in Faribault.
School activities include six years in band, two years in the pep band, Knowledge Bowl, and FFA. In addition, he has been involved with 4-H.
Langston is a bird enthusiast as he has identified and documented over 350 species of birds.
Steele-Waseca will be recognizing Langston at this year’s annual meeting. He will be among 34 students and six chaperones representing Minnesota’s delegation, June 18-23.
Editor’s Note: SWCE sponsors two high school sophomores or juniors, whose parent(s) or guardian(s) are members, for the all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. It’s an opportunity to learn about cooperatives, our government, tour historical sites, and have fun meeting new friends from Minnesota and across the nation.
LIFE+
#swceLIFE+
