Iowa or BUST!

As I write this we are on the first leg of our journey home (the DC to Atlanta flight).

We first want to thank all of the cooperatives that invested in the student(s) they sent on Youth Tour this year. These young people are leaders and they all have very bright futures in front of them. We are excited to be able to stay in touch with them and witness all of the great things they will accomplish.

It's hard to believe that we did so much in just one week. 

We ...

Took photos in front of the White House

Visited the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial Hit up the National Museum of the Marine Corp in Quantico Paddle boated around the Tidal Basin Visited the Washington Monument, National World Ward II Memorial, The US Navy Memorial, Union Station, US Air Force Memorial Attended a service at the National Cathedral Checked out the MLK, FDR and Jefferson Memorials Spent an afternoon at the National Mall Dinner at Ben's Chili Bowl (Shelly's favorite!!) Cruised down the Potomac River on the Spirit of Mt. Vernon

...and we did all that BEFORE Monday!

If you want to know what we did Monday through Thursday, just check out our Facebook page. We have posted all of the pictures we took there.

We would be remiss if we didn't give a HUGE shout out to our wonderful chaperones. They are nothing short of ROCK STARS!!

Pat Boyle, Hawkeye REC

Keaton HIldreth, Calhoun County REC

Holi Weston, Farmers Electric Cooperative (Greenfield) 

Britta Becker, Intern (YT 2013 from Franklin REC)

They kept us going in one direction and we are very fortunate to have them!!

We will be landing in back in Iowa later this afternoon to waiting friends and family. I'm going to miss Youth Tour 2016!! No room checks tonight, or wake-up calls tomorrow ... just seems weird. I know we will all fall back into our routines, but I hope that Youth Tour will be a wonderful memory for everyone that got to experience #ytdc 2016.

And, they lived cooperatively ever after.

Shelly

  

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

One Last Night...

Good evening, Iowa!

It has been a busy day here in D.C! This morning at 3:55 a.m. nine Youth Tour students and two chaperones went for a Thursday morning run with Senator Grassley. (Shelly took some great pictures, be sure to check them out on Facebook and SmugMug!)

Today was a HUGE day for the students, they were able to check out Capitol Hill, and meet with both representatives in the House and the Senate. The kids had some FANTASTIC questions! (We also have pictures of this, too). The students were able to get lunch at some of the Capitol cafes. After lunch, we were off to Arlington. Four of our students (Hannah, Isaiah, Nicole, and Jacob) laid a wreath at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and we were able to witness the changing of the guard. After this we were able to take a tram to other stops at Arlington, including Robert E. Lee's mansion and gardens. This tourist attraction has a great view of the cemetery and the city. While we were touring Arlington, Shelly and Pat snuck off to Georgetown to pick up the famous D.C. Cupcakes for the students, which were awaiting them when they returned to the hotel! 

After they had their delicious cupcakes, they were off to the All-States Farewell & Dinner Dance held at the hotel. The students all had a great time, and spent their last hour in the hallway reminiscing about the week they just experienced. Who would've thought at orientation they would be as close as they are today?!

Youth Tour has brought together 34 talented students that will be successful in whatever paths they choose. At the end of the day, they are all thankful for Rural Power, and their local REC's which gave them this trip of a lifetime.

We can't go without mentioning our phenomenal coordinator, Shelly York! This past week I have been able to see a lot of what happens "behind the scenes", and Shelly is definitely one of the best. We are so lucky to have her, because as all of the kids (& alumni) can say, no Youth Tour would be the same without Shelly.

With that being said, thanks NRECA, local REC's, and Shelly York for organizing this trip of a life time!


Britta Becker
2016 Youth Tour Intern

Whoa, we're halfway there!

Hello, Iowa!

Yesterday was a day full of moving! We ate a Crystal City Sports Pub for breakfast and then went to the Einstein, Korean, Lincoln and Vietnam memorials. We had lunch at the Holocaust Museum, and the students were able to explore that memorable museum! We then went to Ford's Theatre, and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum! It was a great place for the students to take some selfies! That night was our Youth Day celebration, where the students heard from Iowa's own Jordan Pope, and Olympian Michael Schillapi. Afterwards, the students were able to trade with other states that were in attendance during our pizza dinner and ice cream social!

We've had a busy day today! This morning we started with breakfast at Crystal City Sports Pub, and spent the morning at Mount Vernon. We then went to the Newseum, where students were able to learn about current events that have been in the news over the past couple of years. Then, we were able to have a tour of the Kennedy Center, and dinner at Five Guys! Tonight, we're off to the Imo Jima Sunset Parade and memorial, and the Pentagon and 9/11 memorial.

The kids have been talking all day, and the bus rides are helping, too! Sadly, Youth Tour is almost over, but tomorrow is Capitol Hill day, and involves an early morning run with Senator Grassley!

Until next time,

Britta Becker
2016 Youth Tour Intern

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

From Iowa to D.C. a summary of days 1-3

Hello, Iowa!

It's been a while, but the kids are loving it! It has been great watching the 34 students interact with each other, and watch them grow out of their shells!

We arrived in Atlanta on Friday night, and the kids were able to enjoy dinner on the bus from Subway! The kids met our bus driver, Rob Taylor and were able to see a driving tour of D.C and all it has to offer! Later on that night, we saw The White House, and American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. We took the kids to the grocery store, so they could get their snacks for the week, and we checked into our hotel!

We are on the sixth floor, and it has been great seeing the kids anywhere from sitting in the hallway to playing games with other states! On Saturday, we had breakfast at the Crystal City Sports Pub, and visited Quantico - The National Museum of the Marine Corp. Lunch was served there and we got a little caught up in traffic... But that didn't stop the kids from paddle boating on the Tidal Basin! After paddle boats we went to the Washington Monument, National World War II Memorial, and The United States Navy Memorial. For dinner the students had some free time at Union Station. They were able to explore the food court and shop, too! Our last stop of the day was at the United States Air Force Memorial before heading back to our hotel for Youth Leadership Council interviews. The students had 3 hours of free time and were able to hang out in the hotel, play games with other students in Youth Tour, and exchange pins with other states.

On Sunday, we were up early! Duncan was in the lead this morning with 14 pins! We had breakfast at Crystal City Sports Pub, and attended a service at the National Cathedral. Then, we were off on our day of touring! We visited the Martin Luther King Memorial, FDR Memorial, and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. For lunch the students had free time at the National Mall, where they were able to visit a variety of Smithsonian's and the National Archives. For dinner we were off to the D.C famous, Ben's Chili Bowl! The students learned about the famous diner, and were able to try their famous half-smoke! We took lots of pictures! :) We just finished up at the National Law Officer's Memorial, and our boat cruise on the Potomac aboard the Spirit of Mount Vernon! They danced and enjoyed the cruise on the Potomac with other students from Indiana and Texas!

Until Tomorrow,

Britta Becker
2016 Youth Tour Intern

Youth Tour and USDA – what’s the connection??

Every electric cooperative in Iowa has in one way or another worked with the USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) through the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (REDL&G). This program touches our communities, and is a hugely important funding source for one of our country’s most important economic development tools.

Thanks to this program our state:

• Has been awarded over 250 REDL&G awards
• Over $90 Million has been awarded to Iowa projects
• These awards have leveraged nearly $800 million in additional project investment
• These REDL&G projects and the revolving loan funds created through repayment have helped create and retain over 25,000 jobs in Iowa

This program is designed to promote rural economic development and job creation, and it is doing just that in Iowa!

The following is a list of projects that illustrates the variety of ways and places where REDL&G awards have helped all around our great state.

• John Wayne Birthplace Museum - Winterset
• Child Care Facility - Keosauqua
• Cardinal Glass Company - Greenfield
• Adams County Opera House - Corning
• Southwestern Community College Residence Facilities- Creston
• Kossuth Regional Health Center - Algona
• Puck Custom Enterprises - Manning
• Franklin General Hospital - Hampton
• Davis County School - Bloomfield
• Osage Hotel and Suites - Osage
• Iowa Lakes Community College - Estherville
• Center for Performing Arts - Holstein
• Aquatic Center - Stuart
• Osceola Community Hospital - Sibley
• Featherlite Manufacturing - Cresco
• Cambridge Investment Research - Fairfield
• Iowa Valley Community College Dormitory - Marshalltown
• Clarke County Hospital - Osceola
• Industrial Park - Wilton

The list above is meant merely to illustrate how RUS has helped Iowa's rural electric cooperatives help their communities build businesses, child care centers, clinics, community colleges, hotels, hospitals, industries and schools.

Why does all this matter? Because, while in D.C. for Youth Tour the students will meet with the RUS Administrator Brandon McBride. I’m excited that we will get to hear a bit more about the history and programs of the Rural Utilities Service (including REDL&G), meet its leadership and learn about projects in Iowa that impact the communities we live in.

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What happens AFTER Youth Tour?

Well, to put it short and simple: we stay in touch!

Once students get back home, we LOVE that we get to stay in touch (so don’t unfriend me on Facebook or stop following Iowa Youth Tour on social media!!).

We will alert you to all kinds of opportunities for you to consider. Here are just a few!

Involvement in Iowa Rural Power and tickets for/notification of political events in Iowa – Living in Iowa, we all know that we are the epicenter for politics every four years. Youth Tour students have the opportunity to participate in Iowa Rural Power where they have extraordinary access to political leaders from both sides of the aisle. Advocates have the opportunity to meet with presidential candidates and ask them about their plan to ensure reliable, affordable electricity. Students have attended both the Republican and Democratic annual dinners, the Harkin Steak Fry, Branstad-Reynolds Inaugural Ball, Senator Ernst’s Roast and Ride, countless Presidential candidate events all around the state and town hall meetings in their local communities, etc.

Iowa Legislative Page Program - Appointments to the Iowa Legislature as a page are for both full and half-sessions. It is a rare opportunity for qualified high school students to watch the legislative process in action. Pages get to meet legislators, attend meetings and debates, and watch action behind the scenes. Pages work with other students from across the state of Iowa.

United States Senate Youth Program - Established in 1962 by U.S. Senate Resolution, is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service. 

Internships, both in Iowa and in DC – there are lots of opportunities for internships out there and we will be happy to help you identify one or simply be a reference.

Scholarship opportunities – we will pass along any scholarship announcements we are aware of. One that you will want to consider applying for after your first year of college is the Glenn English National Cooperative Leadership Foundation Scholarship. Each year, one $10,000 (distributed in two $5,000 installments) and four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to students working on their first undergraduate degree program.

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact Shelly at youthtour@iowarec.org.

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