For many high school students in America, issues related to policy and regulation— particularly concerning electricity and the internet—often take a back seat.
Instead, students are focused on upcoming essay deadlines, sports practices, or mid-term exams. However, opportunities are ever-present to engage students before they move on to their next chapter by exposing them to the importance of policy and its impact on their lives.
Every year, Plumas-Sierra REC and Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications, with the help of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, send 1 high school student from either Plumas, Sierra, Lassen, or Washoe counties to Washington, D.C., to visit our nation’s capital.
In 2025, Keith Hengl from Lassen High was the winner of the Washington Youth Tour trip. For many students, Youth Tour is their first chance to explore the nation’s capital, connect with peers from across the country, and see firsthand how government decisions shape everyday life in rural America. For Keith, this year’s trip was eye-opening but unforgettable.
During the trip, Keith gained a clearer understanding of how the federal government and advocacy groups play a role in ensuring rural communities have access to essential services.
“I learned that the government helps decide who gets reliable electricity and high-quality internet in rural areas mostly by negotiating policies,” he says. “They want to ensure they are beneficial for the areas co-ops represent.”
He was surprised by how organizations such as NRECA advocate for rural communities. “1 thing that surprised me was learning about lobbying and how NRECA advocates for its members to help the small communities it supports,” Keith says.
Seeing the policy side up close helped him appreciate the work that goes into protecting and improving rural infrastructure.
Meeting students from every corner of the country also reshaped how Keith thinks about rural life.
“I realized how much other states rely on electric co-ops to get their power,” he says. “I now know the importance of what electric co-ops bring to their areas.”
These conversations highlighted how essential dependable electricity and even affordable internet are in today’s world.
“A lot of schooling, work, and everyday life is now digital,” Keith says.
While the educational experiences were meaningful, the trip also featured many memorable sights. Keith says he’ll remember the entire trip for years, from seeing famous landmarks to visiting major museums. A memorable moment for him was watching a performance of Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center.
“I would absolutely recommend this trip to fellow students.”
For Keith, Youth Tour represented more than just a week in Washington, D.C.; it opened the door to a whole new world of opportunities. During Youth Tour, he had the chance to interview for a position on NRECA’s Youth Leadership Council, for which he was selected, and was sent back to Washington, D.C. for a 2nd time.
Looking back, Keith encourages other students to seize the opportunity if they get the chance.
“I would absolutely recommend this trip to fellow students,” he says. “It is a great experience, and I learned a lot and enjoyed everything about it. I was nervous at first, but after the trip, I was very glad I went.”