Students Return From Washington D.C.

Jenna Mullis of Putnam County and Daniel Hicks of Jones County recently represented Tri-County EMC on the Washington Youth Tour, a week-long leadership experience exclusively for teens sponsored by the electric cooperatives in Georgia.

From June 7-14, Mullis and Hicks joined 1,800 of their talented and ambitious peers in Washington, D.C. to build leadership skills, understand the importance of civic involvement and community service and to tour the nation’s historic sites to gain a greater understanding of the country’s rich and storied heritage. The trip provide a unique lesson that cannot be duplicated in a classroom. 

In Georgia, this year’s contingent included 113 student delegates, 16 chaperones and three tour directors who attended a kick-off banquet in Atlanta for the students and their families before departing the next morning for D.C. for the remainder of the trip.

“The students get to see history come to life as they learn of the people and places which helped shape our country,” says Kim Broun, Communications Specialist at Tri-County EMC. “They meet delegates from across the country from different walks of life, different backgrounds and different life experiences to give them a broader perspective and appreciation of the world at large.”  

While in D.C., stops included Mount Vernon, U.S. Capitol, National Archives, National Cathedral, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Museums and Kennedy Center. The students also toured the revered Jefferson, Lincoln, FDR, MLK, WWII, Vietnam and Korean War memorials. 

In addition to taking in the sights of the nation’s capital, students gained perspective on some of today’s important issues and their role as involved citizens. Everyone had the opportunity to engage with staff and  members of Georgia's congressional delegation, including personal visits with Senator Johnny Isakson. 

“The Youth Tour made a great impact on my leadership skills. It forced me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to learn from other top-notch delegates,” said Jenna Mullis, 2018 Delegate. “The people that you bond with are really what make it the experience of a lifetime.”

“I learned what it means to be a leader and how to be one in my community,” said Daniel Hicks, 2018 Delegate. “I also learned that if you come into situations open-minded, you can experience so many new things.”

This year’s delegates will join more than 50,000 students from rural areas and small towns across America as alumni of the Washington Youth Tour. (79006001)

To learn more about the trip, visit www.tri-countyemc.com/washingtonyouthtour.cms. The application deadline for the 2019 Washington Youth Tour is February 15. 

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