Dakota Electric sent five exceptional students, Alayna Fick of Hastings High School, Nawal Nur, Anvith Pothula, and Sophia Way of Eastview High School, and Alexandra Raines of Lakeville North High School, on an unforgettable, all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) Youth Tour, June 14–21.

Alongside 1,800 peers from across the country, the students explored historic sites, met members of Congress, learned about electric cooperatives, and even zipped around on a Segway tour.

Dakota Electric proudly supports this annual opportunity for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors in our service area. Applications open each January. Learn more about Dakota Electric’s participation in the annual NRECA Youth Tour here.

During Youth Tour, one student from each state is elected for the NRECA Youth Leadership Council. This year, Sophia Way of Eastview High School was elected to represent Minnesota for the upcoming year, which included a return trip to Washington, D.C., in July for a leadership workshop centered on the electric cooperative industry.

Congratulations, Sophia!