Michigan Students Find Inspiration in Nation’s Capital on 2025 Youth Tour

Eighteen high school students from across Michigan took part in a life-changing journey this June, representing their electric cooperatives on the 2025 Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. The annual event, coordinated by the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association (MECA) in partnership with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), offers student delegates a firsthand look at history, government, and the cooperative spirit that powers their communities.

“Youth Tour is more than an educational trip—it’s a launch pad,” said Katie Deller, MECA’s Youth Tour Director. “Students return more confident, curious, and engaged with the world around them. Watching that growth happen in just a few days is powerful.”

Student delegates hailed from electric cooperatives across the state and bonded over shared experiences, meaningful conversations, and a sense of purpose.

Those delegates included: Joe Augustyn and Hope Brunngraeber (Alger Delta Cooperative Electric Association); Chelsie Bielas and Brady Robertson (Presque Isle Electric & Gas); Brody Cobb, Naaman Looy, George Mertz, and Veronica Paga (Great Lakes Energy); Makenna Cole, Alex Czymek, Ethan Doughty, and Sarah Menzel (HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative); Landon Harris and Roan Kirkpatrick Johnson (Cherryland Electric Cooperative); Maddie Harrison (Wolverine Power Cooperative); Silvana Klobucher (Ontonagon County REA); Jenna Lemon (Midwest Energy & Communications); and Preston Rancour (Thumb Electric Cooperative).

Though the House and Senate were not in session during the week, the trip was far from lacking in inspiration. The delegation walked the National Mall, visiting monuments and memorials that brought American history to life in vivid detail. At the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, several students had the honor of shaking hands with a veteran, offering heartfelt thanks for his service.

A stop at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial turned into an impromptu history lesson. Deller and other chaperones used the moment to share how FDR’s New Deal helped launch America’s rural electric cooperatives, forever changing the landscape of energy access.

“Learning how government works and cooperatives support their communities really opened my eyes,” said PIE&G delegate Brady Robertson. “I didn’t realize how much of a voice young people could have – the whole experience helped me feel more confident in myself.”

One of the most moving moments came during the Youth Rally, where nearly 2,000 students from 44 states gathered. When the sound system failed to play the National Anthem, the students stood together and sang it a cappella—an emotional display of unity and the power of partnership.

The Michigan delegation was supported by dedicated chaperones: Dawn Coon (Wolverine Power Cooperative), Brandon Trierweiler and Erin Storey (HomeWorks), Alex Mason (Great Lakes Energy), and Deller herself. Their efforts ensured a safe, enriching, and unforgettable experience for every participant.

As these students return home, they bring with them more than souvenirs—they return with new friendships, a broader worldview, and a deeper understanding of leadership and civic responsibility.