On June 15, Avah Bullinger, along with 15 other high school students sponsored by their local electric cooperative, left for the trip of a lifetime in Washington, D.C. for NRECA’s National Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.
During the week-long trip, Avah and the other North Dakota delegates learned about the electric cooperative business model during informational sessions with NRECA, heard from the current National Youth Leadership Council representative, and were inspired by motivational speaker Mike Schlappi. Schlappi is an author, motivational speaker, and 2-time Gold Medalist in the Paralympics’ wheelchair basketball.
In addition, delegates saw some of the greatest buildings, monuments, museums, and attractions Washington, D.C., is known for, including:
- The White House
- The Capitol Building
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Arlington National Cemetery
- World War II Memorial
- Vietnam War Memorial
- Korean War Memorial
- Lincoln Memorial
- Jefferson Memorial
- Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial
- Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
- Gettysburg Civil War Museum and Cyclorama
- Gettysburg Battlefield
- U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
- National History Museum
- American History Museum
- National Archives
- Ford’s Theatre
- Bureau of Engraving & Printing
- The FBI Experience
- National Zoo
- Mount Vernon
- Steven F. Udvar Hazy Air & Space Center
Following a private tour of the U.S. Capitol, students had the opportunity to meet with Senator Hoeven’s Energy Policy Advisor.
“There were many highlights to this trip, but my favorite opportunity was probably the private tour of the capitol building,” Bullinger said. “It was just such a cool experience to see it in real life and be able to see the history that we get taught.”
There is no doubt these students made friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. “I made so many amazing friends that I will always be close with,” Bullinger commented. “The people I met on this trip made it so much more special.”
