NEW LONDON — Firelands Electric has announced that Jillian Hazen and Hayley Putt will be representing the cooperative on the 2023 Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.
Sponsored by Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives, Firelands Electric, and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), Youth Tour is an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., that will take place June 17 to 23. Jillian and Hayley will join approximately 40 other students from rural electric cooperatives across the state of Ohio as they tour the sights in and around our nation’s capital.
The daughter of Jason and Jessica Hazen of Jeromesville, Jillian is a sophomore at Hillsdale High School. She is active in FFA, theater, and the swim team.
Hayley is the daughter of Jason and Anna Putt of Greenwich and the late Kelly Putt. She is a sophomore at South Central High School and is involved in FFA and choir and works on the family farm.
The annual Youth Tour program gives children of cooperative members a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in an in-depth look at Washington, D.C. Participants have the chance to visit sites such as the U.S. Capitol, Gettysburg, the Smithsonian Institution, the Vietnam Memorial, the Kennedy Center, the Supreme Court Building, and many others.
Through educational and sightseeing activities, students gain a personal understanding of American history and their role as citizens. Delegates are also able to meet and interact with their U.S. representatives and senators during the trip.
While groups are organized at the state level, Firelands’ delegates will meet students from other electric cooperatives across the country for Youth Day. At this event, they will hear featured speakers who provide insight into the important role that electric co-ops play in their communities. In all, nearly 2,000 students participate in Youth Tour each year.
Students participating in Youth Tour may also be chosen to serve as a representative on the NRECA Youth Leadership Council (YLC). One student from each state is selected for YLC and will return to Washington, D.C., in July for an additional leadership workshop that focuses on the electric cooperative industry.
Firelands’ Youth Tour contest is offered to high school sophomores and juniors who reside in a home served by the cooperative. Candidates are evaluated on school and community activities, demonstrated leadership, and a letter of recommendation. Up to two applicants are then chosen to represent the co-op on the annual tour. To learn more about Firelands’ youth programs, visit www.firelandsec.com/community.
