Sawnee EMC announces that Genève Lauby and Ella Reid have been chosen as Sawnee’s representatives to the 54th annual Washington Youth Tour, a leadership experience sponsored by electric membership cooperatives from Georgia and across the country. 

These two students have demonstrated strong leadership qualities, exemplary social skills, and they both desire to learn more about the electric cooperative business model, their government, and their nation.

 Candidates vie for a spot alongside other students from across the state who are community volunteers, student athletes and members of respected academic organizations such as the National Honor Society, the Governor’s Honors Program and many more. 

“The Washington Youth Tour was established with one thought in mind – to inspire the next generation of leaders,” said Cindy Badgett, Sawnee’s director of external affairs.

This year’s tour, which takes place June 13-19, exposes participants to the fast-paced world of politics, leadership, team building and the rich history of electric co-ops.  Each year the participants are challenged to consider the part they play in government and the electric cooperative movement, to become involved citizens and to consider careers in public service.

When the group arrives in Washington, D.C., Sawnee’s delegates will have a unique opportunity to meet with their elected officials and discuss the issues that are important back home. Georgia’s delegation will convene with more than 1,700 youth representing electric cooperatives from across the nation and they will have the opportunity to mingle with peers from other states and exchange views concerning local and national issues.   

“These students represent the next generation of educated, engaged citizen leaders in our communities and country,” Badgett said. 

Since 1965, the Washington Youth Tour has given 3,000 students in Georgia and more than 50,000 students nationwide the opportunity to take part in this experience.  The program was initially implemented at the request of President Lyndon Johnson to “send youngsters to the nation’s capital where they can actually see what the flag stands for and represents.”