RURAL ELECTRIC YOUTH TOUR – Washington, D.C.
2025 Application

Sponsored by Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative

Tour Dates:  June 16 through 21, 2025

Completed application, letter of recommendation,
photo & essay responses are due to
Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative’s office 
by 3:30pm
Friday, February 7, 2025.

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 10, 2025 (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 16 through June 21, 2025.
  • 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 7, 2025.
  • 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 2025

Current Grade Level

Youth Tour Question

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

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

Explain how participating in the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour will help you develop leadership skills and a deeper understanding of the role of electric cooperatives in your community. Include specific examples of how you plan to apply these skills and knowledge in your future endeavors.
 
Upload requirements

I understand that if I am selected:

  • I agree to be available for the NRECA Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. June 16 – 21, 2025, 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 10, 2025.
  • 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 10, 2025, 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 10, 2025

 

 

               Email YouTube link if needed, to:

Lori Jimenez

Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative

[email protected]


(507) 373-6421