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2027 Government-In-Action Youth Leadership Tour

Youth Tour is an all-expense-paid trip for high school juniors to learn about different aspects of the government, meet their members of Congress and visit historical sites. 

This year, NEC will send two delegates from the cooperative to participate. This year’s trip will begin in Austin, Texas on June 15, 2027, and continue on to tour sites in Washington D.C. before the trip concludes on June 23rd, 2027. The travel package, valued at more than $4,400, includes air transportation to and from Washington D.C., hotel stay, meals, admission fees, and $250 cash for extra expenses. PLUS: Each winner will also receive a $1,000 scholarship, should they attend an accredited Texas college or university. 

For additional information, email communications@nueceselectric.org or call 361-387-2581 and ask for Communications. 

1. Applicant must be a high school student in junior year of high school and must not have already participated in Youth Tour through any Texas Cooperative.

2. Applicant must have consent of and reside in the home with a parent or legal guardian who is a current member of Nueces Electric Cooperative.

3. Applicant must return the completed application and either a written essay or a video submission along with a recent head and shoulder digital photo by Sunday, December 13, 2026. Applications must be submitted online under the Submit Youth Tour Application tab.

4.You may choose to submit either a video or an essay. 

Theme: Your voice has power.

As a young person, what does it mean to have a voice in your community? Describe an issue, cause, or opportunity that matters to you and explain how you have used, or would like to use, your voice to make a difference.

5. Video submissions must be 3–5 minutes in length. All video submissions become NEC property. View more instructions for this video on the “Video Submission Instructions” tab.

6. Essay submissions must be 400–600 words in length, typed and single-spaced. Essays must be submitted in a combined PDF with the application.

7. Applications will be scored on accuracy of information, grammar, originality and content. Applicants must be able to interview in-person if they are selected as Finalists.

8. From the group of Finalists, the Winners will be selected based on the score from their essay and their interview with a panel of judges where they will be scored based on simple knowledge of the Cooperative, knowledge of government, poise, and communication skills. (Possible interview questions will be provided to Finalists ahead of time.)

9. Each Winner must also be able to attend the June 2027 Board of Directors Meeting as well as the October 2027 Annual Meeting to speak on behalf of Youth Tour to encourage others to apply.

10. A First Runner-Up will be named to take the place of the Winner should they be unable to meet these requirements or is found to be a poor representative of the Cooperative.

Important Note:
You may choose to submit EITHER a video OR an essay for your Youth Tour application. You are not required to do both. Please read the instructions carefully and make sure you select the option that works best for you.

*All submitted essays may be used for additional purposes by NEC, and become NEC property once submitted*

Instructions for Video and/or Essay Submission

Please follow the instructions below to ensure your video and/or essay submission meets all requirements:

  • Length: 3- 5 minutes (video) or a full one page essay (400-600 words, typed, single-spaced)
  • Evaluation: Accuracy, grammar, originality, and content.
  • Video Technical Requirements: Clear audio and visible face throughout the video.

1. Personal Introduction: Begin your video with a brief personal introduction. Include:

  • Your full name
  • The high school you currently attend
  • An interesting fact(s) about yourself (hobbies, passions, goals, etc.)
  • Briefly mention what "member-owned" means to you or why this theme caught your interest

2. Theme: Your voice has power.

As a young person, what does it mean to have a voice in your community? Describe an issue, cause, or opportunity that matters to you and explain how you have used, or would like to use, your voice to make a difference.

Video Requirements:

  • Share what you know about NEC. Explain what you know about your electric cooperative and what being a member means to you.
  • Tell us how your voice connects to your membership. Discuss how being a member of NEC has impacted your life, your family or your community. Consider how your experiences with the cooperative have shaped your understanding of community, service or involvement.
  • Explore how your voice can make a difference. Share an issue, cause or opportunity that matters to you and explain how you have used, or would like to use, your voice to create positive change in your community.
  • Look toward the future. Explain how you hope to use your voice and your experiences as an NEC member to become more involved and make a difference moving forward.
  • Conclude with what you learned. Share a new insight, skill or perspective you gained while exploring the power of your voice and your role as a cooperative member.

3. Video Format

  • Your video should be at least 3 minutes long and no longer than 5 minutes.
  • Make sure the audio is clear, and your face is visible throughout the video.

4. Submission Instructions

  • Essay: Include your essay with your application into one singular PDF file
  • Video: Upload your video to Google Drive and share it with communications@nueceselectric.org
  • Ensure link-sharing is enabled so NEC can access the video.
  • Submit essay or video by Sunday, December 13, 2026.

Tips for Success:

  • Be clear and concise in your responses.
  • Follow all instructions and adhere to the deadline.
  • Speak confidently and ensure good audio and video quality.
  • Express your thoughts creatively and authentically.

Helpful Resources:

Helpful Tips About NEC:

  • Our members are owners 
  • We care about our community unity
  • We work hard to be a good community partner
  • We focus on our service to our members
  • We ensure safety and service to our employees and our communities
  • Our commitment to our members is to secure reliable and affordable energy needs

We look forward to receiving your video or reading your essay! Good luck!

Should you have any questions or concerns, email communications@nueceselectric.org or call 361-387-2581. An NEC representative will contact you should any issues with your video file arise.

Tips for Success:

  • Be clear and concise in your responses.
  • Follow all instructions and adhere to the deadline.
  • Speak confidently and ensure good audio and video quality.
  • Express your thoughts creatively and authentically.

Helpful Resources:

Helpful Tips About NEC:

  • Our members are owners 
  • We care about our community unity
  • We work hard to be a good community partner
  • We focus on our service to our members
  • We ensure safety and service to our employees and our communities
  • Our commitment to our members is to secure reliable and affordable energy needs

We look forward to receiving your video or reading your essay! Good luck!

Should you have any questions or concerns, email communications@nueceselectric.org or call 361-387-2581. An NEC representative will contact you should any issues with your video file arise.

Download the 2027 Youth Tour application: 2027 YT Application

Submit your 2027 Youth Tour application: Submit 2027 YT Application

 

*All applications must be complete and submitted to the form linked above. If you have any questions, please email us (communications@nueceselectric.org) or call us at 361-387-2581 and ask for the Communications department.