Since 1965, Deaf Smith Electric Cooperative has proudly participated in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Government-In-Action Youth Tour program.

Recently, 7 students competed for 5 spots via a speech contest and panel interview. They earned the opportunity to join almost 2,000 of their peers from electric cooperatives across the country this summer on an all-expenses-paid trip to Austin and Washington, D.C. The trip is sponsored by DSEC and Golden Spread Electric Cooperative.

The students chosen are:

Aubrey Schueler. Aubrey is the daughter of Wade and Candice Schueler and is a sophomore at Friona High School.

Masyn Friemel. Masyn is the son of Landon and Brianna Friemel. He is a junior at Vega High School.

Emma Schueler. Emma is the daughter of Wade and Candice Schueler and is a senior at Friona High School.

Paul Luke Betzen. Paul is the son of Nathan and Amy Betzen. He is a senior at Hereford High School.

Charlie May Trimble. Charlie May is the daughter of Charlie and Ginger Trimble. She is a senior at Farwell High School.

Students on the tour learn about electric cooperatives, American history, and U.S. government. They attend educational seminars, visit with their members of congress, and see the historical sites around Washington, D.C.

“This trip is a fantastic way for the students in rural America to experience a host of national sites like the National Cathedral, Lincoln Memorial, Mount Vernon, the Smithsonian Museum and Arlington National Cemetery and others. They get to experience the Texas State Capitol and see how our government works, both at the State and National level,” said Tim Burkhalter, President and General Manager of DSEC. “No matter what your thoughts on government are, this trip gives these students the opportunity to see what makes America special in an effort to ensure that rural values continue to have a place in future leaders of our country, state and local areas,” he said.