Monumental Experience

The Government-in-Action Youth Tour officially kicked off on June 11 for two United area students.

Youth Tour—which former tour participants dubbed as “the trip of a lifetime”—is an all-expenses-paid opportunity for students to visit the nation’s capital, further their education and gain a new appreciation for their country.

Shyley Hamilton, a United Cooperative Services’ 2023 Youth Tour winner from Bluff Dale, had begun the weeklong tour of Washington, D.C., that commences in Austin, with Lipan resident Halley Hendrick, the second United 2023 Youth Tour winner.

While on tour, Hamilton and the Youth Tour attendees visited the Arlington National Cemetery and made the trek  to John F. Kennedy’s gravesite to observe and pay tribute to the 35th President of the United States.

“I will never forget the excitement that welled up in me as I approached his gravesite,” Hamilton said. “Having the opportunity to pay my respects to one of our country’s most renowned leaders was an incredible experience.”

The tour was inspired in 1957 when Lyndon B. Johnson, a native Texan and 36th President of the United States, expressed his aspiration for young people to, “actually see what the flag stands for and represents.” To accomplish this goal, Johnson called upon electric cooperatives nationwide to host an educational trip to Washington, D.C., for the betterment of each co-op’s area students.

Since 2000, United has sponsored more than 40 deserving students to attend Youth Tour in conjunction with Texas Electric Cooperatives (TEC) and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

“When participating in the Youth Tour program, young people within United’s service territory experience visiting historical sites, meeting members of Congress and forming long-lasting connections with new friends from all over the nation,” said Brealee Toomer, marketing and community relations manager and Youth Tour coordinator. “Co-ops like United invest greatly in Youth Tour because it gives students a chance to learn about the importance of democracy as well as the integral role that electric cooperatives play in the lives of those they serve.”

Hendrick, who also claimed to have an unforgettable Youth Tour experience, said that viewing the Declaration of Independence firsthand at the National Archives Museum was an opportunity she intends to hold near and dear.
“Seeing the history of the Declaration of Independence was such a cool experience,” Hendrick said. “What was so neat about it was that I could still somewhat read the script. Most of the display was faded, but I was still able to read a great deal of the words.”

Hendrick said that she didn’t anticipate how much newfound knowledge and patriotism she would gain from the tour.

“My historical knowledge has expanded in so many unique ways,” Hendrick said. “I learned the reality of how many sacrifices numerous individuals made to protect our freedom in the United States. I owe a debt of gratitude to United Cooperative Services for making this experience possible. “