Making Memories and Friends that will last a Lifetime

Students are having so much fun and making so many memories there is no time for sleep! After another full day of activities the students hustled into bed and even asked to have their “room checked’ earlier. As I write this it’s almost my bedtime so I can keep up with these amazing kids on this adventure that we call “Youth Tour 2015.” #ytdc

We started off the day bright and early with the Rural Electric Youth Day, where all 1,600+ Youth Tour students were gathered to hear various speakers including NRECA CEO Jo Ann Emerson, as well as the introduction of the Youth Leadership Council of 2015. We are very proud to have Blake Kozak represent Iowa as our YLC representative. Blake is from Clarke Electric Cooperative. The group also heard an inspirational message from Mike Schlappi. At the age of 14, Mike had expectations of a career in sports as a top notch athlete. A gunshot to the chest at point blank range challenged his dreams. He would never walk again. After months of rigorous physical therapy, he began playing basketball from his wheelchair and went on to become a standout athlete.

While the students were at the Rural Electric Youth Day, Eugene Handlos and I stood in line to get tickets for the United States Holocaust Museum at 7:30 am till about 9:50. As we waited in line battling the rain, and fending off other co-ops trying to get in line before us :-), we always kept the students in mind and knew we had to do it for them! We ultimately got the tickets and met the students down by the Potomac River for our next endeavor.

Eugene and I walked towards the Potomac River the students were just getting out of the bus and we are headed to go paddle boat on the Potomac. After about an hour there we went to the Holocaust Museum were the students spent the next 2 plus hours. It was so cool to see the students being very respectful, and learning so much from this incredible somber place.

Our next stop was to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, which was a blast for all. Everyone was posing with the different mannequins in an assortment of goofy poses. As a group we walked across the street to see Ford’s Theatre where Lincoln got assassinated and soon after we arrived at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Afterwards, we got a chance to rest a bit and grab dinner at Union Station. We then walked up to the US Capitol to listen to an amazing performance by the U.S. Navy Band. Last but certainly not least we visited the Lincoln and Korean War Veterans Memorial, and spent the last moments of our evening there before we headed back to the hotel. 

Today the students were so busy I’m surprised they stayed awake throughout the whole thing…. Oh wait a few didn’t, I caught a few of them catching up on some much needed sleep on the bus in between stops. These students are such champs and have been the best a chaperone could ask for. It’s so nice to see everyone making friends and having fun!

By Alec DeVries (Youth Tour Intern/Alumni)