GVEC is inviting high school sophomores and juniors whose parent or legal guardian is a GVEC electric member to apply for the 2027 Government-in-Action Youth Tour. This weeklong leadership experience in Washington, D.C. is organized by Texas Electric Cooperatives and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. The program brings students from across Texas and the country together to learn about history, government, leadership, and electric cooperatives.
GVEC will sponsor local students for the June 2027 trip and provide each selected delegate with a $2,500 scholarship reserved for the senior year, to be used toward the college or trade school of their choice. In 2026, GVEC sent three students to represent the Cooperative and their communities in Washington, D.C. You can read all about their experience in our October issue of The GVEC Review or at gvec.org.
Delegates will visit iconic sites including the U.S. Capitol, Supreme Court, Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon, the Smithsonian Institution, and more. Activities also include visits to congressional offices, a Potomac River dinner cruise, and opportunities to learn about rural electrification and the role electric cooperatives play in their communities. Along the way, students meet peers from across Texas and the nation while building leadership skills and making lasting memories.
“Youth Tour is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Darren Schauer, GVEC general manager and CEO. “It’s an experience that’s both rewarding and inspiring. We’re excited to sponsor outstanding young leaders from our communities to represent GVEC in Washington, D.C.”
GVEC covers travel, lodging, meals, and attractions, making the trip completely free for selected delegates.
Applicants must be high school sophomores or juniors during the 2026–2027 school year, reside in GVEC’s electric service territory, and have a parent or legal guardian with an active GVEC electric account in good standing. Applications are due November 30, 2026, at 5 p.m.
To learn more about this exciting opportunity and view complete application details, visit gvec.org/community/youth-tour/. For questions, contact Community Relations Representative Jeff Kerlick at [email protected] or 830-263-4353.
