Every June, a small number of high school students from all over Illinois go from their small towns to the nation’s capital to spend a week seeing its historic sites and vibrant atmosphere.
In order to inform and motivate the upcoming generation of cooperative and civic leaders, 48 students participated in the 2025 Youth Tour, which was sponsored by 25 Illinois electric and telephone cooperatives and took place in Washington, D.C., from June 16–23.
Micah Anderson and Abigail Hildebrand were sponsored by Adams Telephone Co-Operative, while Kodi Duke and Jamen Tchapda were sponsored by Adams Electric Cooperative. At the yearly event, the students joined over 2,000 pupils from 44 states.
According to a press release from Danielle Flesner, graphic designer and youth tour supervisor for Adams Telephone Co-Operative, this trip is much more than just sightseeing. It’s about establishing connections, gaining leadership skills, and demonstrating their ability to influence their communities and futures.
The establishment of a fictitious student-run cooperative named Chip n Pop Co-op is a key component of the Youth Tour experience. The students chose a co-op board at the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC), which has its headquarters in Springfield, where they started their voyage. A co-op manager was later chosen by the board after interviews.
The co-op managed budgeting, decision-making, and snack sales during the week, providing participants with a practical understanding of how cooperatives function. Tchapda was the board president and Duke was a board member of Adams Electric.
According to Laura Bergman, manager of communications for Adams Electric Cooperative, students who participate in a co-op are better able to comprehend what makes one unique. It ultimately comes down to cooperating and reaching decisions that benefit everyone, not just one individual or business.
During the week, students had the chance to tour the White House and see President Donald Trump for the first time in many years. They also toured historic sites like Gettysburg and Arlington National Cemetery. They also visited the Smithsonian museums, walked the National Mall, stood on the steps of the Supreme Court, and took a tour of the U.S. Capitol.
Students joined hundreds of other teenagers from throughout the nation for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Day midweek, where they learned how to use their voices back home and heard from national officials.
The Youth Tour experience was unforgettable, ranging from heartbreaking tours of the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial and the Holocaust Memorial Museum to humorous moments at the Museum of Illusions and team-building exercises at the Beat the Bomb (escape room).
“I gained a better understanding of the foundation of our nation during Youth Tour,” Hildebrand added. I gained knowledge about the progress this country has made in the face of hardship and the influence that every choice, no matter how minor, may have on a person’s life. I had the chance to see firsthand why I consider myself so fortunate to be an American.
Voting for a peer to represent Illinois on the Youth Leadership Council (YLC) was a significant part of the trip for the students. Five people were chosen to speak in front of their colleagues after completing an application to become the Illinois YLC representative.
Micah Anderson of Adams Telephone Co-Operative was chosen to represent Illinois in the 2025–2026 YLC. In the upcoming year, he will speak on behalf of the state at both state and national gatherings.
Anderson advised youngsters who would like to participate in Youth Tour in the future to seize every chance they have. Attend every institution, go on every tour, and attempt to meet as many people as you can.
A farewell dinner and dance marked the end of the week, and many students reported feeling transformed by the experience by the time they returned home on June 23.
Duke responded, “Thank you for this wonderful experience.” The stunning memorials, museums, and everything else have really blown my mind. I am so thankful for this chance since I would not have been able to go on one of the best journeys of my life if it weren’t for your pick.
Participants in the annual program must be high school students who reside in Adams Electric and Adams Telephone service districts. Visit youthtour.cooporfacebook.com/ILYouthTour to find out more about Youth Tour. Visit Adams Electric.coop to sign up for the email list and receive updates about upcoming contests.
