Southwest Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation announced two winners were selected to participate in the 2024 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.

Emma Collier of Taylor High School and daughter of Amanda and Stephen Collier; and Ayla Buford of Taylor Central High School and daughter of Karen and Brandon Buford, were selected as winners of a Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. in June.

The trip is all expense paid and will involve approximately 40 other youths from across Arkansas. From June 15 through June 21, the tour will visit the White House, the U.S. Capitol, Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson monuments; the Vietnam Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, and other sights in Washington, D.C.

In addition, the winners will be eligible to compete to represent Arkansas on the National Rural Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) Youth Leadership Council.  Arkansas’ representative, selected by the tour directors, will attend NRECA’s national meeting and participate in a variety of other cooperative activities throughout the year. They will also have a chance to win a $5,000 scholarship.

Each of Arkansas’ 17 electric cooperatives select representatives for the Youth Tour.  Those winners will join approximately 1,500 youth from 38 states in Washington for the National Rural Electric Youth Tour.