Youth Tour

2024 New Mexico Youth Tour

June 17 - 23

New Mexico Youth Tour Delegates Visit U.S. Capitol

Local high school students sponsored by New Mexico’s electric cooperatives


SANTA FE, N.M. – Forty-two high school students from New Mexico participated in the 67th anniversary of National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. June 17-23.


Sponsoring New Mexico electric cooperatives and delegates included: Central New Mexico Electric Cooperative: Janet Morales, Humberto Fernandez, Nora Encinias, Emma Mulnix, Colton Adams, Calvin Autrey, Hadley Lightfoot, Pablo Regalado, Anthony Munoz; Central Valley Electric Cooperative: David Gutierrez, Trenton White; Columbus Electric Cooperative: Journey Sheehan, Kohan Evans; Continental Divide Electric Cooperative: Noah Lundstrom, Lorenso Saavedra; Farmers' Electric Cooperative: Greyson Bollinger, Haylie Bidegain; Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative: Kendall Martinez, Bernardo Montoya; Lea County Electric Cooperative: Ava Griffin, Alyse Benard; Mora-San Miguel Electric Cooperative: Estrella Martinez, Jonathon Gonzales, Marisol Salazar, Eric Rodriguez, Isaiah Lujan, Angelica Barbero; Otero County Electric Cooperative: Rylie Parson, Dominic Romero, Daniel Chacon, Orlando Ruiz; Roosevelt County Electric Cooperative: Kyleigh Stephenson, Devin Diaz, Roderic Neal, Ashton Davis; Sierra Electric Cooperative: Katherine Kittel; Socorro Electric Cooperative: Zephaniah Guerro, Brianna Lopez, Gabriel Giron, Blazen McPhaul; Springer Electric Cooperative: Constantza Covarrubias, and Tayla Chisum.


The seven-day tour provided an action-filled trip for high school students, offering them opportunities to learn first-hand what it is like to be involved in politics, community service, and today’s pressing issues. Highlights included special sessions on Capitol Hill with Cliff Ho, Legislative Fellow for U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.); Todd Ringler, Senior Policy Advisor for Energy, Climate, and The Environment for Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.); and Elizabeth Arvelo, Senior Advisor for U.S. Congressmen Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M. – 3rd District).


“The Youth Tour students from New Mexico demonstrated a true passion for learning about democracy and government. They asked some tough questions on everything from renewable energy, fossil fuel production, climate change legislation, to the 30x30 campaign. It is great to see high school students eager to learn and gain leadership skills. Building strong leaders out of today’s young people is essential to our nation’s future,” said Cliff Ho.


Youth Tour delegates also visited with NRECA CEO Jim Matheson at the NRECA Youth Day program held in National Harbor, MD. Matheson, a former seven-term Utah congressman, encouraged the delegates to take advantage of this exclusive learning opportunity, communicate with their elected officials, make new friends, and have fun while visiting Washington D.C.

“Each one of you can make a difference in the political process,” said Matheson. “The way that you talk about the issues will impress your leaders in Congress. It will give them hope that your generation understands how to lead, and you are committed to doing so.”


New Mexico’s Youth Tour delegates toured famous monuments, memorials, the Smithsonian Institution’s museums, and George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate. Angelica Barbaro, Haylie Bidegain, Kohan Evans, and Zephaniah Guerro participated in a formal ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery by dedicating and laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in front of more than forty New Mexico Honor Flight heroes and their families. The group also attended the U.S. Marine Corps Sunset Parade one evening with delegates from other states.


Haylie Bidegain, a student at Logan High School, was selected by her Youth Tour peers to become the Youth Leadership Council (YLC) member and represent New Mexico in 2025 at the NRECA meetings in Atlanta, Georgia and Washington, D.C. Haylie and her family live in Tucumcari and are proud members of Farmers’ Electric Cooperative.


Zephaniah Guerro, a student at Alamo Navajo High School, will serve as the alternate for the Youth Leadership Council (YLC). Zephaniah and his family live in Magdalena and are proud members of Socorro Electric Cooperative.


Other events of the week included participation in the NRECA Youth Day program, during which a special program coordinated by NRECA brought together more than 2,000 Youth Tour delegates from across the United States. Some of the nation’s best and brightest high school students enjoyed speeches by government leaders and motivational speakers, such as Mike Schlappi, an inspiring four-time Paralympic medalist and two-time world wheelchair basketball champion.


Since 1964, NMREC has sponsored Youth Tour delegates for visits to their U.S. congressional delegations, energy and grassroots government education sessions, and sightseeing in Washington, D.C. More than 55,000 high school juniors and seniors sponsored by the nation’s electric cooperatives have participated in the Youth Tour since the educational leadership program began. Previous Youth Tour participants have become University Presidents, CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, and Members of Congress.


"New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperatives provided 42 students with the opportunity to represent the Land of Enchantment in Washington D.C. as participants in NRECA’s Youth Tour. The chance to visit DC, tour the U.S. Capitol, and meet with elected officials can be transformative,” said Charise Swanson, NMREC CEO. “There is no better place to gain an appreciation for all of our democratic institutions than in our nation’s capital. I truly believe this is a life changing event for our students and I know they will return home with innovative ideas for their futures, and their communities.”


New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperatives established in 1944, serves as the collective voice for 15 individual electric distribution cooperatives and two generation and transmission associations. NMREC provides association services, including legislative advocacy and support, public and media relations, safety, and educational training. For additional information, visit www.nmelectric.coop.

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2024 Youth Tour Photo Gallery

Welcome New Mexico Youth Tour Delegates


The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour has brought high school students to Washington, D.C. for a week in June every year since the late 1950s. Students apply and are selected for this program by their local electric cooperative. We believe that students should see their nation’s capital up close, learn about the political process and interact with their elected officials.


Students gain a personal understanding of American history and their role as a citizen by meeting their Senators and Representatives. While student groups are organized at the state level, they all come together for Youth Day, where they get to meet each other and hear featured speakers who provide insight to the important roles electric cooperatives play in their communities. Congratulations on being selected!


We hope you enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

YOUTH TOUR AGENDA

JUNE 17-23, 2024


*Subject to change, please check for updates.


MONDAY, JUNE 17, 2024  - NM CAPITAL DAY

9:00 am         Open Registration for Youth Tour Delegates

10:00 am       Youth Tour Delegate Welcome

11:00 am       Lunch – NMREC

12:00 pm       New Mexico State Capitol Building

12:15 pm      New Mexico Senator Liz Stefanics

1:00 pm        Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Office

1:30 pm        Lt. Gov. Howie C. Morales Office

2:30 pm        New Mexico Supreme Court Tour

4:00 pm        Closing Ceremonies – NMREC

4:45 pm        New Mexico Rail Runner Express #101 Santa Fe

6:30 pm        New Mexico Rail Runner Albuquerque Station

7:15 pm        Sheraton Albuquerque Airport Hotel

8:00 pm        Youth Tour Introductions & Ice Breaker Game

9:30 pm        Room Check, Lights Out

TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2024 - TRAVEL DAY

DRESS CODE: CASUAL

3:00 am      Wake-Up Call

3:45 am      Load Shuttles

4:00 am      Arrive at Airport

5:30 am      Depart Albuquerque International Airport

8:15 am      Arrive Dallas Love Field Airport

10:10 am    Depart Dallas Love Field Airport

2:10 pm      Arrive in Washington, D.C.

2:45 pm     Load Luggage on Bus

3:00 pm     Youth Tour Hotel Check In

7:00 pm     Sunset Parade. US Marine Corps War Memorial

8:00 pm     Load Bus, Return to Gaylord National Resort

8:30 pm     Dinner (Pizza Party)

9:00 pm     YLC Candidate Presentations

10:30 pm   Return to Rooms, Room Check, Lights Out 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2024 - NRECA YOUTH DAY

DRESS CODE: T-SHIRT - GOLD NM LICENSE PLATE

6:30 am      Wake-Up Call

7:30 am      Breakfast at Gaylord National Resort

8:30 am      Load Bus, Depart to Jefferson Memorial

9:00 am     Jefferson Memorial, Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

10:15 am    Load Bus, Depart to National Archives

11:00 am    National Archives. Emancipation Proclamation

12:45 pm    Load Bus,  Depart to Mount Vernon

1:30 pm      Mount Vernon, George Washington’s Home, Plantation, and Grounds

3:30 pm      Load Bus, Depart for Lincoln Memorial

3:45 pm      Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial

5:00 pm      Load Bus,  Return to Gaylord National Resort

DRESS CODE: CASUAL (PART 2: GOLD – NEW MEXICO LICENSE YOUTH TOUR T-SHIRT)

6:30 pm      Dinner at Youth Day, Gaylord National Resort

7:30 pm      Seating for Youth Day Event

8:00 pm      Youth Day Program

10:30 pm    Return to Rooms, Room Check, Lights Out

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2024 - ARLINGTON

DRESS CODE: POLO - WHITE YOUTH TOUR, BUSINESS

DRESS UP DAY FOR WREATH LYING

DRESS CODE: BUSINESS CASUAL (PART 1: WHITE YOUTH TOUR POLO SHIRT)

6:30 am      Wake-Up Call

7:30 am      Breakfast at Gaylord National Resort

8:30 am      Load Bus, Depart to World War II Memorial

9:00 am      World War II Memorial

11:30 am    Load Bus, Depart to Arlington National Cemetery

12:00 pm    Arlington National Cemetery

12:45 pm    Check-In with Tomb Guards, Sentinels

1:00 pm      View Changing of the Guards

1:15 pm      Wreath Laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns

Angelica Barbero, Haylie Bidegain, Kohan Evans, and Zephaniah Guerro

1:30 pm      Kennedy Family Gravesites

2:00 pm      Load Bus, Return to Gaylord National Resort

DRESS CODE: CASUAL (PART 2: TAN – NEW MEXICO OUTLINE YOUTH TOUR T-SHIRT)

3:00 pm      Load Bus, Depart for Washington Monument

3:30 pm      Washington Monument

5:30 pm      Load Bus, Depart for Carmine’s Italian Restaurant

6:00 pm      Dinner at Carmine’s Italian Restaurant

7:00 pm      Load Bus, Depart to White House

7:15 pm      White House Group Photos, Lafayette Square

8:00 pm      Load Bus, Return to Gaylord National Resort

8:30 pm      Free Time at Gaylord Harbor

10:30 pm    Return to Rooms, Room Check, Lights Out

FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2024 – CAPITOL HILL DAY

DRESS CODE: PROFESSIONAL

DRESS CODE: PROFESSIONAL (PART 1: CAPITOL HILL VISITS WITH OFFICIALS)

6:30 am      Wake-Up Call

7:30 am      Breakfast at Gaylord National Resort

8:30 am      Load Bus, Depart to U.S. Capitol Building

9:00 am      Youth Tour Delegate Photographs

10:00 am    Group Appointments New Mexico

Senator Martin Heinrich, 709 Hart Senate Office Building

10:30 am     Group Appointments New Mexico

Senator Ben Lujan, 498 Russell Senate Office Building

11:00 am     Group Appointments New Mexico

Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury, 1421 Longworth House Office Building

11:30 am     Group Appointments New Mexico

Congressman Gabe Vasquez, 1517 Longworth House Office Building,

12:00 pm     Group Appointments New Mexico

Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez, 1510 Longworth House Office Building

12:30 pm      Lunch, Congressional Cafeteria or Food Court

1:00 pm       U.S. Capitol Building Tour, Supreme Court, Library of Congress

3:30 pm      Load Bus,  Depart to Ford’s Theatre

4:00 pm      Ford’s Theatre. Museum, Petersen House

5:00 pm      Load Bus, Return to Gaylord National Resort

DRESS CODE: CASUAL (PART 2: CASUAL AND COMFORTABLE)

5:45 pm      Load Bus, Depart for the Wharf and City Cruises

6:30 pm      Board “Spirit of Washington”

7:00 pm      Potomac River Cruise – New Mexico, Colorado, Michigan, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming

9:30 pm       Load Bus, Return to Gaylord National Resort

10:30 pm     Return to Rooms, Room Check, Lights Out

SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2024 – NRECA ALL-STATES

DRESS CODE: T-SHIRT - TURQUOISE NM FLAG

6:30 am     Wake-Up Call

7:30 am     Breakfast at Gaylord National Resort

8:30 am     Load Bus, Depart to Smithsonian Castle

9:00 am     Free Range. Three Hours to Visit Smithsonian Museums on the National Mall


National Museum of Natural History

National Air and Space Museum

National Museum of American History

National Museum of African American History & Culture

American Art Museum & Renwick Gallery

National Museum of the American Indian

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

National Portrait Gallery

National Museum of Asian Art National Museum of African Art


12:30 pm     Load Bus, Depart to Hill Country BBQ

1:00 pm       Lunch at Hill Country BBQ

2:50 pm       Load Bus, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

3:15 pm       U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

5:30 pm       Load Bus, Return to Gaylord National Resort

DRESS CODE: CASUAL (PART 2: CASUAL AND COMFORTABLE)

7:00 pm       NRECA All-States Farewell Event

10:30 pm     Return to Rooms, Room Check, Lights Out

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2024 - TRAVEL DAY

DRESS CODE: CASUAL

DRESS CODE: CASUAL (CASUAL AND COMFORTABLE)

3:00 am      Wake-Up Call

3:40 am      Check-Out Gaylord National Resort

3:45 am      Load Bus, Depart to Airport

4:15 am      Arrive at Reagan National Airport, Security

6:05 am      Depart Reagan National Airport – Southwest Airlines #4257

8:10 am      Arrive Dallas Love Field Airport

Lunch at Dallas Love Field Airport, Food Court

11:25 am     Depart Dallas Love Field Airport – Southwest Airlines #1191

12:10 pm     Arrive in Albuquerque International Airport

1:15 pm      Meet Cooperative Employees and/or Parent/Guardian at Baggage Claim

1:30 pm      Depart to Cooperative with Cooperative Employees or Home with Parent/Guardian

Itinerary Notes


This continues to be a working itinerary; open to timing and routing adjustments during the tour by the group’s tour guide and motorcoach driver in consultation with the NMRECA group leader.


Butterfly Pavilion at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History is available Tuesday – Saturday at 10:15 am and 4:45 pm. Tickets must be bought in person, no advance tickets or group pricing. Will be happy to accommodate if group is interested.

2024 YOUTH TOUR

PARTICPATING STUDENTS


Central NM Electric Co-op

Janet Mariel Morales Ortiz
Humberto Armando Fernandez
Nora Florinda Encinias
Emma C-Rose Mulnix
Colton Cash Adams
Calvin Lee Autrey
George Hadley Lightfoot
Pablo Isael Regalado
Anthony Munoz

Jemez Mountains Electric
Co-op

Kendall Michelle Martinez
Bernardo Phillip Montoya

Mora-San Miguel Electric
Co-op

Estrella Antonia Martinez
Jonathon Gerard Gonzales
Marisol Lucille Salazar
Eric Gustavo Rodriguez
Isaiah Fidel Lujan
Angelica Faith Barbero

Central Valley Electric Co-op

David Gutierrez
Trenton Michael White

Farmers’ Electric Co-op

Greyson W Bollinger
Haylie Ann Bidegain

Lea County Electric Co-op

Ava Marie Griffin
Alyse Marie Benard

Roosevelt County Electric
Co-op

Kyleigh B. Stephenson
Devin Cole Diaz
Roderic William Neal
Ashton Dane Davis

Sierra Electric Co-op

Katherine Marie Kittel

Springer Electric Co-op

Constantza Janine Covarrubias
Tayla Chisum

Columbus Electric Co-op

Journey Ricky Sheehan
Kohan Evans

Continental Divide Electric
Co-op

Noah Lundstrom
Lorenso Saavedra

Otero County Electric Co-op

Rylie Gail Parson
Dominic Manuel Romero
Daniel Dominguez Chacon
Orlando Ruiz

Socorro Electric Co-op

Zephaniah J Guerro
Brianna Desirae Lopez
Gabriel Alejandro Giron
Blazen Trails McPhaul

Youth Tour Coordinator

Talia Storch - NMREC

tstorch@nmelectric.coop

505-699-4946


Evelyn Vigil - NMREC

evigil@nmelectric.coop

505-690-4652

Youth Tour Chaperones

Lonnie Tucker - NMREC

Talia Storch - NMREC

Elizabeth Belcher - CNMEC

Curtis Belcher - CNMEC

Renee Davis - Farmington 

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