Local Woodbine High School Student attends National Tour Program.

Nunez in front of the Nation's Capitol Building

Isabel Nunez, a Woodbine High School Student, recently participated in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour of Washington, D.C., sponsored by Harrison County Rural Electric Cooperative. She traveled to Washington, D.C., in mid-June with 34 other student leaders from Iowa.

Nunez (Middle) with other Iowa Cooperative Students.

Every summer, this weeklong leadership development program provides high school students opportunities to learn about government, the electric cooperative business model and today’s pressing issues in the energy industry. Students meet their elected officials, tour historic sites and run their very own snack cooperative.

The annual Electric Cooperative Youth Tour has been a joint effort of locally owned electric cooperatives, including Harrison County REC, statewide trade associations and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) for over 65 years.

2025 Iowa Youth Tour Attendees

In addition to taking in the sights of the nation’s capital, all the state groups convened for the Rural Electric Youth Day, sponsored by NRECA, to learn from public figures and other inspirational speakers. This year’s Youth Day agenda included Mike Schlappi, a four-time Paralympic Medalist and two-time world Wheelchair Basketball champion. Schlappi shares his inspiring message for every American, young or old: “Just because you can’t stand up, doesn’t mean you can’t stand out.”

Since 1958, Iowa’s electric cooperatives have sponsored high school students on Youth Tour for visits to their U.S. congressional delegations, energy and grassroots government education sessions, and sightseeing in Washington, D.C.

Nunez in front of the White House.

For more information on how you can participate in Harrison County REC’s 2026 Youth Tour program, contact Kristi Travis (ktravis@hcrec.coop) or visit www.IowaYouthTour.com. Search for “Iowa Youth Tour” on Facebook or Instagram to see the group’s recent adventures from 2025.