Contest begins for free trip to Washington, D.C.

GVEC Youth Tour open to deserving high school students

Applications are being accepted for the Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative’s (GVEC) Youth Tour competition. The contest, open to high school sophomores, juniors and seniors, will give four deserving students the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C. for a week during June 2013.

The contest and trip are part of the national Electric Cooperative Youth Tour hosted each year by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). It’s an unforgettable, all-expense-paid trip giving students the opportunity to learn more about our country’s heritage, the federal government and the role electric co-ops play in the economy.

While in D.C., students will visit many of the nation’s exciting museums, memorable landmarks and breathtaking memorials. They will also take a trip to Capitol Hill to visit their Congressional representatives.

“GVEC believes it’s important to sponsor our members’ students because they are the future leaders of our communities,” says Lindsey Lyde, GVEC corporate services division manager. “It’s a great opportunity for our young people to learn about our nation’s history, meet our elected representatives and experience first-hand what it is like to be part of history in the making.”

Last year’s tour winners, upon arriving back home, described the experience as “life-changing.” They agreed that it was an incredible learning experience in which they gained a new perspective on what it meant to be a U.S. citizen, while making lifelong friends with other students from across the country.

Students can find more details on how to earn one of four sponsored spots at www.gvec.org. The contest deadline is Tuesday, Jan. 15, and is open to all sophomores, juniors, and seniors whose parent or guardian is a member of GVEC and lives in a residence served by GVEC. Children of GVEC employees and directors are not eligible to apply.

Contact Dawn Southwell at 830-386-4415, 800-223-4832 or email youthtour@gvec.org.

GVEC is an electric cooperative that serves more than 70,000 meters across 13 Texas counties. The service area spans 3,500 square miles across South Central Texas. GVEC headquarters are located in Gonzales, with four area offices in Schertz, Seguin, La Vernia and Cuero.