MY COMMUNITY

Electric Cooperative Youth Tour

There may be no better example of the cooperative principles—Education, Training and Information and Commitment to Community—than the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.

The program offers an opportunity for high school juniors to experience government first-hand by visiting the state’s and nation's capitals and engaging in interactive workshops and discussions.

MY COMMUNITY

Join the Youth Tour experience

Each year, Pioneer Electric selects delegates to attend the Montgomery and Washington, D.C., Youth Tours. This is an unforgettable experience!

  • Win the trip of a lifetime
  • Make lifelong friends 
  • Gain leadership skills
  • Build your college resume

Download the Study Guide

IMPORTANT DATES

Applications are due January 8

Interview Competition is January 28 at Pioneer Electric's Greenville Office

Montgomery Youth Tour is March 11-13

Washington, DC Youth Tour is June 16-22

Interviewing Tips

 

You will be interviewed by a panel of three judges. They will ask you questions about your school activities, hobbies, college or career plans. They will also ask you about electric cooperatives (hint: study the study guide) and current events.

 

What to wear:

Ladies: Dress, pantsuit, dressy shirt with slacks or skirt. Skirts should be no shorter than 2 inches above the knee. No strapless or spaghetti straps. No jeans.

Gentlemen: Dress slacks and dress shirt or khakis and polo. Shirts tucked in. Wear a belt. Coat and tie are optional. No jeans.

 

How to ace the interview:

The judges just want to get to know you, so BE YOURSELF! Smile. Laugh at their jokes. Speak clearly. Sit up straight (no fidgeting). Make eye contact with the judges. Don't chew gum. Be honest - if you don't know the answer, say so. 

 

To score bonus points with the judges:

Make a good first impression - say hello when you enter the room, shake their hands, make eye contact. Laugh at their jokes, even if they aren't funny. Have at least one question to ask the judges at the end, such as "What do you love about your job?" or "What's your job like?" Be prepared to tell them what you've learned about electric cooperatives.

The Rules

This contest is open to all high school juniors (11th grade) attending any school in Butler, Dallas, Lowndes and Wilcox counties. Homeschooled students may also apply if their primary residence is served by Pioneer Electric Cooperative. 

All applications will be reviewed for eligibility. A panel of independent judges will determine from the applications which students will participate in the interview portion of the competition. Students selected to interview will be given their assigned interview time.

Six students will be selected as winners of an all-expenses-paid trip to the Montgomery Youth Tour in Montgomery in March. Two participants will be selected as the winners of an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., in June. A student must attend the Montgomery Youth Tour to be eligible to attend the Washington Youth Tour. Failure to attend the Montgomery Youth Tour will result in forfeiture of the Washington trip. Students will also be asked to attend Pioneer Electric's Annual Meeting in October.

For more information, contact Christi Scruggs at (334) 382-4904 or cscruggs@pioneerelectric.com.