2025 Youth Tour Contest and Scholarships
BCEC is asking for your help spreading word amongst our community about the Government-in-Action Youth Tour, an all-expenses-paid trip to the nation’s capital. BCEC will send three local students on this incredible journey, scheduled for June 15–22, 2025. Students’ parents/guardians do not have to be members of BCEC to compete in and win the Youth Tour contest.
What Is Youth Tour?
The Youth Tour is an action-packed adventure to Washington, D.C., with around 150 students and chaperones from Texas and over 1,700 from across the U.S. Participants will explore iconic sights like the Washington National Cathedral, Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon, and the Smithsonian Institution museums. Students will also learn about rural electrification, enjoy a performance at the Kennedy Center, take a dinner cruise on the Potomac River, and meet congressional leaders.
This tradition began in 1965, inspired by then-Senator Lyndon B. Johnson, who encouraged youth to experience their American heritage and government in action. Since then, over 4,000 Texans and 50,000 young Americans have become Youth Tour alumni.
How to Participate
We encourage all sophomore, junior, and senior students to seize this amazing opportunity! Applications are due by 5 p.m. on January 23, 2025, and videos on the topic—Understanding the Electric Grid: Explain how the electric grid works, and the role cooperatives play in maintaining it—must be uploaded by 8 p.m. on January 30. Winners will be announced by February 13.
Additionally, Big Country EC will donate $500 to the school with the most student submissions!
Scholarship Opportunities
In addition to Youth Tour, scholarship opportunities are available through Big Country EC and its affiliates:&
Big Country EC Academic Scholarship
Two $4,000 scholarships for graduating seniors whose parents or guardians are BCEC members. Deadline: March 1, 2025
Directors Memorial Scholarship, Golden Spread Electric Cooperative:
$2,000 scholarships for selected graduating seniors whose parents or guardians are BCEC members. Deadline: March 1, 2025.
Texas Rural Electric Women’s Association Scholarship
Twenty scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded to current TREWA members and their children. Applicants must be current members or employees of a Texas electric cooperative, such as BCEC. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, full-time college students, and adults accepted as full-time students at any accredited institution. Deadline: March 15, 2025.
For full details and applications, visit bigcountry.coop and click on Service Beyond Electricity, then Scholarships or Youth Tour. For questions, please contact Krysha Burleson at (325) 776-3803 or kburleson@bigcountry.coop.