Contact: NOVEC Public Relations, 1-888-335-0500, customerservice@novec.com
MANASSAS, Va. —The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative took five high school students who live in NOVEC’s service territory on an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., June 12-16 during the 52nd Annual National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Youth Tour. The students joined 1,700 other students from across the U.S. who came to the nation’s capital to see government at work.
NOVEC’s students were:
Cole Delinski — Prince William County, Forest Park High School
Alex Granche — Fauquier County, Kettle Run High School
Arianna Larson — Loudoun County, Woodgrove High School
Dung Ngo — City of Manassas Park, Manassas Park High School
Daniel Park — Fairfax County, Westfield High School
The students toured Capitol Hill and met personally with U.S. Rep. Gerald Connolly and had the opportunity to view the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee in action. They also visited historical and cultural sites in the nation’s capital, including Arlington National Cemetery, the Pentagon Memorial, and the Newseum. For relaxation, the students enjoyed a twilight cruise on the Potomac River and a Washington Nationals baseball game.
As part of the NRECA-sponsored National Youth Day on June 13, all of the state groups convened to hear inspirational speakers, including Mike Schlappi, a four-time Paralympic Medalist and two-time world champion in wheelchair basketball. Schlappi shared his inspiring message: “Just because you can’t stand up, doesn’t mean you can’t stand out!”
Since 1964, the nation’s cooperative electric utilities have brought more than 60,000 high school students to Washington to visit their U.S. congressional delegations, learn more about history and energy, and sightsee.
“There are few opportunities in life to participate in such a transformative, educational, and fun experience as Youth Tour,” said Daniel Park. “We observed our nation’s government, toured monuments, and met unforgettable friends from all over Virginia and the country. I can’t remember ever laughing as hard in my life as I did while on Youth Tour, and I wish everyone could participate in this amazing program.”
For more information about the Youth Tour Program, visit www.youthtour.coop. To learn how to participate in NOVEC’s Washington Youth Tour program, contact Public Relations at 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500.
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