Youth Tour Recap: Two Delegates, One Unforgettable Youth Tour
By Cadin Carmichael and Leah Romosz
Each year, Itasca-Mantrap sends local students to Washington, D.C., for the NRECA Youth Tour, an opportunity to explore our nation’s capital alongside peers from across the country. This year, two delegates represented Itasca-Mantrap on the trip: Cadin Carmichael and Leah Romosz. Here’s what they had to say about the experience.
Cadin, in his own words:
When I first applied to go on the Youth Tour, I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into. A few weeks later, I got
the call that I had been selected to be a delegate for the trip. I started to doubt if I was truly the best option for the spot. Even through that doubt, I got out of my comfort zone and immediately made friends with a group of people who would soon make this trip one I will never forget.
Over the course of the week, we went to so many breathtaking places. A few of my personal favorites were the memorials, where we learned their history on a guided tour. We also experienced an expansive tour of the White House, watched the Senate in action from the gallery, and walked through the Smithsonian museums along the National Mall. At the Holocaust Museum, I learned more in depth than I ever had about the horrors of the Holocaust. But
my absolute favorite was seeing the Lincoln Memorial in person. Pictures could never do that memorial justice, because you can never tell just how grand and perfectly made it is unless you see it in person.
To wrap it up, the Youth Tour taught me so many things about myself, co-ops and our nation’s history, all in the truly brief time of a week we spent in Washington, D.C. While I’ve named my favorite place, everything we did was an amazing experience. The icing on the cake was everyone from around the country we met. It’s funny that despite our differences, we all had to commit to this trip and step into an unfamiliar environment.
That experience makes you realize everyone carries their own hardships, and somehow, we go through them together. I would like to thank everyone at Itasca-Mantrap and the members for making this trip possible. It truly is the greatest experience I have had so far.
Leah, in her own words:
When I was selected to represent my local electric cooperative, Itasca-Mantrap, on the NRECA Youth Tour, I knew it would be an exciting opportunity, but I never expected it to leave such a lasting impression. Traveling to Washington, D.C., with students from across the country gave me the chance to step outside my comfort zone, make new friends and experience places I had only ever seen in pictures.
From the moment our trip began, I felt welcomed by everyone. Although many of us had never met before, it didn’t take long for conversations to turn into friendships. One of my favorite parts of the week was getting to know people from different states and hearing about their hometowns, interests and goals for the fut
ure. Those connections made every stop along the way even more meaningful.
Visiting our nation’s capital brought history to life. Walking through the memorials and monuments was an unforgettable experience, especially seeing the Lincoln Memorial, the U.S. Capitol and Arlington National Cemetery. Standing in places where so many important events have taken place gave me a greater appreciation for our country’s history and the people who have helped shape it. Learning more about electric cooperatives and how they work to serve their communities also gave me a new perspective on the importance of leadership and service.
As the week came to an end, I realized I was leaving with much more than souvenirs and pictures. I returned home with lifelong memories and many new friendships. The NRECA Youth Tour challenged me to grow, try new things and appreciate opportunities I may not have had otherwise.
I am incredibly grateful to Itasca-Mantrap for making this experience possible. The NRECA Youth Tour is an opportunity I will always remember, and I hope future students have the chance to experience everything it has to offer.
Itasca-Mantrap is proud to send students like Cadin and Leah on the Youth Tour each year, and we look forward to continuing this opportunity for future delegates.