Youth Tour

Local students get a life-changing leadership experience on the 2024 Youth Tour trip to Washington, D.C.

Nine local students represented Butler Rural Electric Cooperative this year during the annual Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in our nation’s capital.

Max Abdin of Harrison; Jake Barkhuizen, Lucy Bowling, Vanessa Howard, and Sara Petri of Hamilton; Sophie Dougherty of Somerville; and Jill Garland, Addison Roller, and Bryce Wortman of Oxford were among 50 students from throughout Ohio who visited Washington, D.C., June 15 through 21. They joined more than 1,200 students from electric co-ops across the country who visited the U.S. capital as part of the Youth Tour trip.


Youth Tour is a weeklong, all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., that gives exceptional high school students the opportunity to make new friends from across the country and see many of the famous Washington, D.C., sights. Youth Tour delegates are children of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative members who completed an application and quiz to attend the trip.
Students met with members of their Congressional delegation, visited Arlington National Cemetery, and toured the Gettysburg Battlefield. During the trip, delegates also visited the Cardinal Power Plant in Brilliant, Ohio to learn how our power is generated.


2024 Youth Tour delegates


Max Abdin is the son of Anna Abdin. He is a junior at William Henry Harrison High School and would like to pursue a degree in engineering, business, or marketing after high school. Max enjoys being outside, exploring new things, and spending time with friends.


Jake Barkhuizen is the son of Hein and Xananda Barkhuizen. He is a junior at Talawanda High School and would like to attend college with the intent to study psychiatry after high school. Jake’s favorite hobbies are running, swimming, and writing.


Lucy Bowling is the daughter of Amy Kuhl-Bowling and Michael Bowling. She is a senior at Ross High School and would like to attend college with a strong engineering program to further explore her passion for chemistry and pursue a degree in chemical engineering after high school. Lucy’s favorite hobbies include playing and watching tennis, reading, listening to music, traveling, and singing.


Sophie Dougherty is the daughter of Bill and Jamie Dougherty. She is a junior at Talawanda High School and would like to pursue a degree in elementary education or agricultural education at Miami University after high school. Sophie is involved in FFA, Best Buddies, and 4 Corners Church.


Jill Garland is the daughter of Matt and Summer Garland. She is a junior in the cosmetology program at Butler Tech. After graduation, Jill plans to begin her career in cosmetology and enter into the agricultural communications industry. Her hobbies include interior design, western fashion, shopping, listening to country music, and traveling.


Vanessa Howard is the daughter of Cindy and Paul Howard. She is a senior at Talawanda High School and would like to pursue a career in veterinary medicine with a focus on large and exotic animals after high school. Vanessa volunteers at animal shelters and enjoys horseback riding, painting, and other arts and crafts.

Sara Petri is the daughter of Andy and Susan Petri. She is a senior at Talawanda High School and would like to go to Aveda to obtain her cosmetology license after high school. Sara enjoys showing livestock at the county fair and helping on her family farm.

Addison Roller is the daughter of Lydia and Stephen Roller. She is a junior at Talawanda High School and would like to attend The Ohio State University to work as a nurse in a local hospital after high school. Her favorite hobbies include playing volleyball, showing animals at the county fair, and helping run her family farm.


Bryce Wortman is the son of Amber and Lewis Willeford. He is a junior at Talawanda High School and would like to attend Miami University to major in theater and minor in psychology after high school. Bryce is involved in the youth initiative team, theater, and marching band.


Youth Tour history


Butler Rural Electric Cooperative has sent students on the Youth Tour trip since 1980. Offering opportunities like Youth Tour is part of our commitment to the communities we serve. By encouraging the success of these young people, we hope to prepare them for leadership roles in our community. Building long-term relationships with youth and educating them about the significance of electric cooperatives helps ensure the success of our own cooperative.


Want to go on Youth Tour?


It’s not too early to think about next year’s Youth Tour, which is in June. Youth Tour applications will be available on our website, beginning in November and are due at the cooperative’s office Feb. 3, 2025. You must be a high school sophomore or junior in February 2025 to apply for the trip. If you would like more information about Youth Tour, contact Andy Denny, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s community relations coordinator, at andyd@butlerrural.coop.

youth tour