High school juniors and seniors compete in three local contests for a chance to win an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. The students compete in a video and interview contest. The students create and submit an original video over the selected topic. Finalist are selected and are interviewed by a panel of judges to convincingly explain why they should represent South Plains Electric Cooperative. The students are also asked questions on their cooperative knowledge.
To be eligible, applicants must reside in the Cooperative service area; participate in Operation Round Up; and attend a qualifying school. If you are not currently participating in Operation Round Up, we’ll automatically enroll you when you submit the scholarship application. The qualifying schools are: Abernathy, Anton, Aspermont, Childress, Chillicothe, Coronado, Cotton Center, Crosbyton, Crowell, Estacado, Floydada, Frenship, Guthrie, Hale Center, Idalou, Jayton-Girard, Lorenzo, Lubbock-Cooper, Lubbock, Monterey, Motley Co., New Deal, New Home, Olton, Paducah, Patton Springs, Petersburg, Plainview, Post, Quanah, Ralls, Roosevelt, Ropesville, Rotan, Shallowater, Slaton, Southland, Smyer, Spur and Wilson. If you are attending a private school, charter school or are home-schooled, your application will be subject to eligibility verification.
The Youth Tour brings more than 1,300 high school students to Washington, D.C., every year, and has since the early 1960s. More than 40,000 students from rural areas and small towns all over America have participated in this unique program. The students representing SPEC will join about 150 other Texas youth before heading out to Washington. The Texas contingency will be part of more than 1,600 young adults from across the nation participating in the annual Youth Tour.
Since 1965, South Plains Electric Cooperative has sent 250 students on this trip of a lifetime.
Students on the tour learn about electric cooperatives, American history and U.S. government. They attend educational seminars, visit with their representatives in the House, and see the sights around Washington, D.C. To learn more, go to www.youthtour.coop.
For more information contact Jill Reece.
2023 Youth Tour Participants
Thanks to Operation Round Up's contribution, four extra students are receiving the trip of a lifetime!
The deadline to apply was October 7, 2022 at 5 p.m. Check back next year for Youth Tour opportunities.
The trip will take place June 11-19, 2023.
Take a look at the video entries from our 2023 winners:
