RURAL ELECTRIC YOUTH TOUR – Washington, D.C.
2024 Application

Sponsored by Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative

Tour Dates:  June 18 through 23, 2024

Completed application, letter of recommendation,
photo & essay responses are due to
Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative’s office 
by 3:30pm
Friday, February 9, 2024.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Applicant must be a junior or senior in high school and reside in the FMEC service territory.
  • Must be the child or dependent of a FMEC member.
  • Must be available for interview on Monday, March 11, 2024 (after school/early evening) if chosen to advance.  Interviews will be held at Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative.  
  • Must be available for the National Rural Electric Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., June 18 through June 23, 2024.
  • Awarded delegate must agree to present to the FMEC Board of Directors upon return of trip.

Application Submission:

  • Application may be submitted online or by downloading the PDF and completing the form. Applications and/or questions may be directed to Lori Jimenez or dropped off at our office. Applications are due in our office by 3:30 p.m. on Friday, February 9, 2024.
  • Include the below with your application submission:
    • A letter of recommendation from a teacher, coach, or youth organization leader.
    • A high-resolution photo in headshot/portrait format.  The photo will be publicized in announcements and holds no bearing in the application process.  Your submission of this photo constitutes your, and your parent(s)/guardian(s) permission to use the photo in announcements or other promotional materials.
    • A YouTube video link or essay response, to the essay question (s).  Multiple applicants cannot submit the same video.  The video must be your own original creation.
      • If using YouTube, please set privacy to ‘unlisted’ and email the link

Youth Tour Application 2024

Current Grade Level

Youth Tour Questions

Please respond to both questions with a video upload of approximately 3-4 minutes or a written/typed essay of a total of around 500 words.

Be unique, be creative, be yourself and have fun!

  1. While in the nation's capital on the Youth Tour, you will have an opportunity for a group visit with Congressional Representatives. If allowed to talk about a reliable, clean energy future, what key points would you focus your comments on?
  2. Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative has seven core values: Integrity, Safety, Quality, Engagement, Teamwork, Community and Service. What are your core values and why are they important to you?
Upload requirements

I understand that if I am selected:

  • I agree to be available for the NRECA Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. June 18 – 23, 2024, and attend an FMEC Board Meeting in June or July to recap the tour, to our board of directors.
  • I agree to attend the interview process on Monday, March 11, 2024.
  • For some unforeseen reason I am not able to fulfill my obligation, I must notify Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative immediately, so an alternate may be considered. 
  • I agree to allow FMEC to publish my name and/or photographs in their newsletter, on the website and social media, etc.
Sign above
Upload requirements

Parent/Guardian Consent:  I/we hereby give my/our dependent high school junior or senior permission to enter the Rural Electric Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. contest.  I/we understand if he/she wins, I/we will be responsible for providing his/her own transportation to and from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. By signing this form, we agree the below named student is making a commitment and are obligated to attend the Youth Tour.

Sign above

Selection:

 

  • All applicants who meet the eligibility requirements will be considered.

 

  • Preliminary Selection – A judging committee will select up to five (5) applicants to advance to the interview process.

 

  • Final Selection – The final judging will be in the form of an interview process. (March 8th beginning at 3:30pm) Two applicants will be awarded the Youth Tour Experience and two applicants be selected for alternates. 

 

  • Notification - All applicants will be notified of the outcome as timely as possible.

 

 

APPLICATION CHECKLIST                                                     

 

  • Currently a junior or senior in high school
  • Must reside in FMEC territory
  • Completed application form (Pages 1 & 2)
  • Completed essay questions
    (video or written)
  • Photo of yourself
  • Letter of recommendation
  • If selected, able to attend the interview process – March 11

 

 

               Email YouTube link if needed, to:

Lori Jimenez

Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative

lori.jimenez@fmec.coop


(507) 373-6421