Seven students from Warren Rural Electric Cooperative Corp.’s service territory will embark on a weeklong trip to Washington next week as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s annual Washington Youth Tour.

Kayleigh Smith of Barren County High School, Meadow Hall of Franklin-Simpson High School, Ethan Hatfield of Grayson County High School, Annabel Justice of Greenwood High School, Briley Robinson of Logan County High School, Caroline Faith Summar of South Warren High School and Derrick Chhouk of Warren East High School will spend an all-expenses paid week learning about government in the capital and meeting youths from other cooperatives across the country.

The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour has brought high school students to Washington for a week in June every year since the late 1950s. On the trip, students gain a personal understanding of American history and their role as a citizen by meeting and interacting with their congressional delegations. Students also participate in a tourwide Youth Day, where they have the opportunity to meet one another and hear featured speakers who provide insight to the important roles electric cooperatives play in their communities. To round out the week, students will visit the Washington Monument, Monticello and the Jefferson, Lincoln, Vietnam wall and Korean War memorials.

Nearly 50,000 students across America have participated in the program since its inception.

In addition to the Washington tour, WRECC students will also visit Frankfort during the legislative session to meet their representatives and learn more about the legislative process at the state level.