Lane-Scott Electric Sponsors Local Students on a Trip to the Nation’s Capital
Maggie Hineman, Scott City, and Emma Petersilie, Ness City recently represented Lane-Scott at the 2025 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., held from June 14-20. During their time in Washington, D.C., students deepened their understanding of America’s electric cooperatives and developed their leadership skills while connecting with peers from across the cooperative network.
These 31 standout student representatives, 27 from Kansas and four from Hawaii gathered in Topeka starting off the tour with a welcome dinner and icebreaker activities, followed by an exclusive night tour of the Kansas State Capitol led by State Treasurer Steven Johnson and Kansas Representative Kyle Hoffman, alumni of the Youth Tour program.
In Washington, D.C., students explored iconic landmarks including the U.S. Capitol, Arlington National Cemetery, and The People’s House – A White House Experience, along with numerous monuments and memorials. Visits to the Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Smithsonian museums offered powerful insights into history and culture.
On June 19, during the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) National Youth Day, students were inspired by a dynamic lineup of speakers, including NRECA CEO Jim Matheson, Olympic medalist Mike Schlappi, and Maggie Martin, the 2025 National Youth Leadership Council Spokesperson.
In addition to the Youth Day program, the Kansas and Hawaii delegations joined peers from Colorado and Wyoming for an engaging leadership workshop led by nationally recognized youth leadership expert Craig Hillier.
Students also had the unique opportunity to meet with U.S. Senator Roger Marshall and Jason Morganti, a Legislative Assistant for Congressman Ron Estes. During these discussions, they asked thoughtful questions on a range of topics that mattered to them, gaining firsthand insight into the legislative process and the role of elected officials.
Beyond the educational experiences, students enjoyed unique opportunities to bond with peers from across the country—trading pins with other state delegations and taking in the sights during a scenic dinner cruise on the Potomac River.
“A lot of this trip was inspiring, including meeting legislators and going to memorials,” Petersilie said. “The leadership workshop by Craig Hillier inspired me to keep developing my leadership qualities. This entire trip will forever be memorable, but meeting new people and making great friends will be the closest to my heart.”
At the conclusion of the conference, Dominic Hernandez, sponsored by Midwest Energy, Hays, was elected by his peers as the 2026 Kansas representative to the NRECA Youth Leadership Council. Alongside 43 other student leaders from across the country, Hernandez will assist at PowerXchange, NRECA’s Annual Meeting, to be held in Nashville, Tennessee, in March 2026.
Students who participated in the 2025 Youth Tour are also eligible to apply for the NRECA Glenn English Scholarship. For more information about the Youth Tour or other opportunities at Lane-Scott Electric, contact Ann Marie Jennings, 620-397-5327.
