Youth Tour in Washington D.C.

About Annual Youth Tour in Washington D.C.

Every year during June, Wake Electric sponsors a one-week, all expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. for two local students. Students who attend the Youth Tour will join 1,500 high school students from across the country to learn about electric cooperatives, American history and the U.S. government. They will also visit the historic sites and federal landmarks of the nation’s capital, as well as spend time with their congressional delegations. For exciting details on the Youth Tour and what you can expect, visit www.youthtour.coop.

A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to Wake Electric’s youth tourists the following year upon proof of enrollment in a North Carolina college or university.

The 2025 Youth Tour is scheduled for June 15–21.

Application

Applications opened Oct. 1 and the deadline is Dec. 15, 2024 by 5 p.m. The application must be in our office by the deadline. Any application received after the deadline will not be considered, even if it is postmarked prior to that date. Applicants will be notified of their status in mid-January 2025.

Scholarship Opportunities

Wake Electric’s youth tourists will receive a $1,000 scholarship upon completion of their trip which will be awarded the following year upon proof of enrollment in a North Carolina college or university, community college, vocational or technical school.

In addition, youth tour winners will also be eligible to apply for and win one of three additional annual scholarships:

• Gwyn B. Prince Youth Scholarship ($2,500)
• Katie Bunch Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)
• Youth Leadership Council Scholarship ($2,000)

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants do not have to live in households served by Wake Electric but must currently be high school juniors in Durham, Franklin, Granville, Johnston, Nash, Vance or Wake counties.

If you have questions, please contact Wake Electric at communications@wemc.com or (919) 863-6440.

2024 Youth Tour Winners

High-school juniors Maggie Austin of Apex and Hedwiga Brutskiy of Apex were selected by Wake Electric to attend the 2024 Youth Tour in Washington D.C. in June.  Maggie and Hedwiga, ages 16, both attend Apex High School.

The two will join nearly 1,500 students from across the United States for a one-week all expenses paid trip to the nation’s capital.  Both students will also receive a $1,000 scholarship in their high school senior year upon enrollment in a college or university in North Carolina.