Mt. Pleasant student wins trip to Washington, D.C.

MT. PLEASANT — As part of Access Energy Cooperative selected Mt. Pleasant High School sophomore Alexis Wagner to attend the 2023 Youth Tour June 18-23 in Washington, D.C.

Wagner will join approximately 40 other Iowa students and nearly 1,000 students from across the country for the Youth Tour.

While on tour, Wagner will learn about American history and government.

She will visit historical sights including monuments, museums, the U.S. Capitol, federal agencies and other points of interest.

A couple noteworthy stops on the tour will include the Smithsonian museums and the Potomac River.

She will also have an opportunity to meet with their legislators in the House and Senate.

Wagner earned this opportunity through the submission of an application on the Access Energy Cooperative website and an interview process.

The application asks for information about the student’s grade-point average, extracurricular activities, why they would like to go to Washington, D.C., and what they may wish to discuss with congressional representatives.

After submitting her application, Wagner attend an interview at the Access Energy office.

According to Access Energy Cooperative Director of Member Services and Public Relations Kimberly Davis the cooperative has selected students for the Youth Tour program since 1958 and currently selects up to two students each year to participate in the seven-day trip.

“A panel of judges from outside our area is selected to come to our office on a specific day to interview the applicants,” Davis said. “Using information from the applications and obtained through the interviews, the judges select one or two winners based on how well the applicants prepared for the interview, as well as their levels of maturity, ambition, and ability to represent Access Energy Cooperative in a manner fitting with our goals and mission.”

“It is very important to us to be involved in education, training and information, as well as a committed concern for our communities,” Davis shared. “We strive to help educate youth on safety, energy conservation, cooperative forms of business, as well as other things pertinent to the electric utility industry.”

“Legislation provides a big impact on our cooperative,” she said. “This trip allows the students to have conversations with their legislators and learn about things that directly impact their lives.”

According to the application this experience is limited to sophomore or juniors in high school in the Access Energy Cooperative service area, though membership with the cooperative is not a requirement.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com