Application Information and Disclosures

Eligibility Requirements

Students’ parents or guardians do not have to be members or customers of Big Country Electric Cooperative for students to enter or win the Youth Tour contest.

Applicants must:

  • Be a current 10th-, 11th- or 12th-grade student at a school within Big Country EC’s service area, which includes Borden, Fisher, Garza, Haskell, Jones, Kent, Mitchell, Nolan, Scurry, Shackelford, Stonewall and Throckmorton counties.
  • Not be a previous BCEC Youth Tour winner.
  • Not be an immediate family member of a BCEC director or employee.

Application Submission

Applications are due Thursday, January 14, 2027. Once your application is received, you will receive an email with instructions for uploading your video.

Video Topic and Scoring

This year’s video topic is:

What is one challenge facing rural communities today, and how can young people and their local electric cooperative help address it?

Your video should demonstrate an understanding of the cooperative business model, including what makes an electric cooperative different from an investor-owned utility and the role Big Country Electric Cooperative plays in the communities it serves.

Choose an issue that is meaningful to you. Possible topics include economic development, reliable broadband, safety, education, population loss, affordability or community involvement. You may also discuss another challenge affecting rural communities.

Video Guidelines

  • Videos must be no more than four minutes long and must be uploaded by 8:00 p.m. Thursday, January 28, 2027.
  • Your video must be titled using this format: Title of Video by John Doe.
  • Each applicant must submit their own original video. Multiple applicants may not submit the same video.
  • Be unique, be creative, be yourself and have fun!

Winners will be selected on a competitive basis using the following scoring system:

  • Content and Knowledge— 70%
  • Presentation Quality — 30%

Winner Selection

Three winners will be selected by an independent panel of judges to represent BCEC on the Government-in-Action Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., June 15–23, 2027.

Applicants will be notified of the results by email or phone by 5:30 p.m. Thursday, February 18, 2027.

Big Country EC will donate $500 to the school with the most students who submit videos!

Applicant Information

Middle Initial

Getting to Know You

Applicant Contact Information

Sign above

Applicant Headshot

Please upload a clear, high-quality photo of yourself (no selfies). If you’re selected as a winner, this photo may be used in BCEC announcements or TEC publications.
One file only.
100 MB limit.
Allowed types: gif, jpg, png, svg.

Parent/Guardian Contact Information

Sign above

I/We hereby give ________________________________ permission to submit his/her name as an applicant to be considered for sponsorship by Big Country EC on the Government-in-Action Youth Tour. I also certify that I have read and understand all the information in the application.