Each year, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative hosts its Rural Electric Youth Tour contest. This annual event allows local students an opportunity to compete for a week-long trip to Washington D.C., as well as learn about our state’s history with a two-day tour of Tallahassee. High school juniors whose parents are members of the cooperative are eligible to participate.
Local civic organizations and schools play an important role in the contest by nominating a student to represent their organization in the Youth Tour competition. Each student nominated for the competition receives a T-shirt and a two-day trip to Tallahassee. While in Tallahassee, these participants are joined by eleventh-grade participants from other electric cooperatives across the state. During their visit, the youth visit various sites. Past tours have included the House of Representatives, Senate, Supreme Court, Vietnam Memorial, and the Old Capitol.
Judging & Grading
During the competition, each student participates in an interview scored by a panel of three judges. The students are asked questions about rural electrification and the government. Each student is then graded on a 100-point scale that is divided into four categories; poise, communication ability, knowledge of the subject matter, and community service.
At the end of the competition, two winners and an alternate are chosen to represent Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative at the national level. After the judging, students and their families are invited to a banquet, where the winners are revealed. These students will participate in the all-expenses-paid trip to the national Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. in June. During this time, there are approximately 1,800 students from across the country representing their local electric cooperatives.
Deadline for Application
The application deadline for the 2022 Rural Electric Youth Tour is Friday, January 14, 2022. Applications are available from the following civic organizations and schools:
- Bayou George Volunteer Fire Department
- Blountstown Woman’s Club
- Dalkeith Volunteer Fire Department
- Ebro Volunteer Fire Department
- Greenhead Volunteer Fire Department
- Green Hills/Fountain Volunteer Fire Department
- Howard Creek Volunteer Fire Department
- Kinard Volunteer Fire Department
- Mossy Pond Volunteer Fire Department
- Overstreet Volunteer Fire Department
- Sand Hills Volunteer Fire Department
- Scotts Ferry Volunteer Fire Department
- Southport Volunteer Fire Department
- Stone Mill Creek Volunteer Fire Department
- Wetappo Creek Volunteer Fire Department
- Wewahitchka Ambulance Service
- Wewahitchka Search and Rescue
- Wewahitchka Volunteer Fire Department
- Wewahitchka Woman’s Club
- White City Volunteer Fire Department
- A. Crawford Mosley High School
- Altha Public School
- Bay High School
- Blountstown High School
- Chipley High School
- Deane Bozeman School
- J.R. Arnold High School
- North Bay Haven Charter Academy
- Palm Bay Prep Academy
- Port St. Joe High School
- Rising Leaders Academy
- Rutherford High School
- Vernon High School
- Wewahitchka High School
The Youth Tour competition is a great opportunity for us to reward local students for being outstanding leaders in their communities. For more information, please contact us.
