ELECTRIC YOUTH TOUR
 Washington, D.C.
2026 Application

Sponsored by Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative

Tour Dates:  June 15 through 20, 2026

Completed application, letter of recommendation,
photo, and essay responses are due to
Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative’s office 
by 3:30 p.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Applicant must be a junior or senior in high school and reside in the FMEC service territory.
  • Applicant must be the child or dependent of an FMEC member.
  • If selected, the applicant must be available for an interview on Monday, March 16, 2026 (beginning at 3:30 p.m.) Interviews will take place at Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative.  
  • Applicant must be available for the Electric Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., June 15 through June 20, 2026.
  • The awarded delegate will be required to share their experience from the trip with our FMEC Board of Directors at the cooperative's following board meeting in June or July. 

Application Submission:

  • The application form 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 13, 2026.
  • 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 2026

Current Grade Level

Essay Question and Options

Please respond with a video upload of approximately three to four minutes or a written/typed essay of one full page.

Please answer this question: "What personal insight do you hope to gain from the Youth Tour experience if you are selected?"

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

Upload requirements

I understand that if I am selected:

  • I agree to attend the interview process on Monday, March 16, 2026, if selected to advance.
  • I agree to be available for the Electric Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., June 15-20, 2026, and attend an FMEC Board Meeting at the cooperative, to share my experience upon return, typically held in June or July. 
  • If I cannot fulfill my obligation for some unforeseen reason, 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 on social media, etc.
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

APPLICATION CHECKLIST                                                     

  • Currently a junior or senior in high school
  • Must reside in FMEC territory
  • Completed application form 
  • Completed essay questions
    (video or written)
  • Photo of yourself
  • Letter of recommendation
  • If selected, able to attend the interview process – March 16, 2026

 

               Email YouTube link if needed, to:

Lori Jimenez

Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative

[email protected]


(507) 373-6421