60th Texas Youth Tour Delegation Lands in Washington
July 15, 2026
Aubrey Middleton was initially intimidated at the idea of joining busloads of other Texas teenagers—whom she had never met—on a cross-country journey to Washington, D.C., for the Government-in-Action Youth Tour in June.
“I’m not a very social person, but when it comes to spending all day with people, I run out of energy really quick,” the high school junior from Itasca said. “So I was really nervous.”
But it didn’t take her long to realize that everyone was in the same boat.
“Now I’m having the best time of my life, spending all day with some of my really good friends that I made,” the HILCO Electric Cooperative delegate said.
Middleton and 143 other teens representing 60 electric cooperatives across Texas spent a week in Washington, touring monuments, museums and historical sites; learning about cooperatives and American history; and making memories and connections that they’ll hold dear forever. Texas’ electric cooperatives have sponsored the trip since 1965.
Middleton’s favorite part was touring George Washington’s home in Mount Vernon, where she got to place a wreath on his tomb.
“No one really gets to do that,” Middleton said. “So it was something I’ll never forget.”
The first president also made an impression on Baiden Beavers—the first Rita Blanca Electric Cooperative delegate since 1973.
“We were riding in the bus, and they said something interesting will be out on your left, and I look left and it’s just the Washington Monument,” Beavers said. “And that’s not something you see every day in Dalhart, Texas.”
The delegates also spent time on Capitol Hill, sitting down with their respective congressional representatives, or their staffs, and learning about democracy. During NRECA’s Youth Day, the Texas delegates joined nearly 2,000 teens representing 43 other states and a record of nearly 700 cooperatives.
“This trip is life changing,” said Leila Garcia, a GVEC delegate. “And it’s really a great opportunity to expand your horizons and learn those necessary skills for life.”
South Plains Electric Cooperative delegate Adlee Lambert and 143 of her new friends flew to Washington, D.C., on Southwest Airlines’ Independence One aircraft, painted to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. The students formed Texas electric cooperatives’ 60th Youth Tour delegation. Photo: Claire Stevens | TEC