Federated once again offering annual Youth Tour Contest

A local teenager will experience firsthand the pride of being an American by winning a free leadership trip to Washington, D.C. June 15-20, 2026. Federated Rural Electric, Jackson, will select the winner of this trip through its annual Youth Tour Contest.

High school freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors, attending a high school in Federated’s service area can enter. The application and information may be found on Federated’s website (www.federatedrea.coop). 

The student writes a 300-word essay on an energy-related topic, which is due with the application by Jan. 16. The first 10 students to enter will also earn $50.

Five finalists are selected for short interviews Feb. 25, starting at 4 p.m. The combined scores from the essay, interview and application determine the trip winner, along with second and third place who receive $300 and $200, respectively.

“Last year only six local students entered the contest so your odds of winning are great,” stated Andrea Christoffer, Federated’s marketing & communications manager. “Investing an hour or two in writing an essay and doing the short application could mean winning a free trip to D.C.!”

The winner will travel with 40 other Minnesota teens sponsored by other rural electric co-ops. Federated’s delegate is one of 1,900 delegates nationally. Here’s a few possible tour highlights:

• Tour the monuments: Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean Veterans Memorial, Iwo Jima Statue, World War II Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Air Force Memorial and Arlington Cemetery.

• Tour historic sights: Smithsonian Museums, Holocaust Memorial Museum, 9/11 Memorial, National Cathedral, Georgetown, Mount Vernon, Library of Congress and old town Alexandria.

• Interact with 1,900 teenagers from across the U.S. sponsored by rural electric co-ops; meet with your members of Congress and make new friends.

• Go places; interview to be the Minnesota representative on the Youth Leadership Council. If selected, you will travel to D.C. for 2027 Youth Leadership Council in July and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Annual Meeting in San Diego, California, Feb. 14-17, 2027.

Federated is a Touchstone Energy cooperative serving 5,300 members in Jackson and Martin counties.