Landry George’s Electric Cooperative Youth Tour experience in 2022 wasn’t what she initially imagined. COVID-19 protocols in Kansas canceled the trip to Washington, D.C., and instead she and the other Kansas delegates spent several days at the state capitol in Topeka.

But the delegate from Heartland REC in Girard leaned into the experience, and she also acquired valuable leadership and interpersonal skills representing her home state on the Youth Leadership Council and volunteering as a staff assistant at NRECA events.

“I went to a small high school—there were less than 30 kids in my graduating class—and it felt like nobody wanted to step up and lead. It was like a ‘wait-and-see’ and see who else will do it. And through Youth Tour, I started to realize if not me, then who? I’ve taken that mindset into everything. I want to push that on other people to just be the ones to take initiative and be leaders.”

George’s Youth Tour experience will also give her a head start at graduate school to pursue training as a certified registered nurse anesthetist. She is the 2025 recipient of a $10,000 prize from the Glenn English National Cooperative Leadership Foundation Electric Cooperative Youth Tour Alumni Scholarship, a program open to Youth Tour alumni.

Named after former NRECA CEO Glenn English, the foundation has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships since 2014. Awards consist of one $10,000 scholarship and four $1,000 scholarships.

“I feel like I say it 24/7, but I'm just beyond thankful for everything that this program has given me,” George said. “Whether it's $10,000 or just improving who I am as a person. But I'm very thankful.”

Learn more about George and the other scholarship recipients:

Landry George, 20

Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Girard, Kansas

Education: Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas. Major in nursing and public health.

Dream job: My dream job is to work as a trauma nurse; I love being able to support people on some of their hardest days.

Hometown and what you like best about it: Pleasanton, Kansas. I love the simple, easy living aspect of my small town. It is impossible to go anywhere without seeing a familiar smiling face and having a warm conversation.

Youth Tour year and how the experience shaped you: 2022. Unfortunately, Kansas was still under COVID-19 protocols during my year, so I did not get to travel to Washington D.C., for Youth Tour. Instead, I went to the state capitol and got to stay for a few days with the other delegates. I truly believe this was a pivotal time for my leadership skills. I learned so many different ways to improve my skills and I was able to take them back to my hometown to encourage others to be the leaders we needed. Even today, holding leadership positions for my sorority, honors college and other campus organizations, I can fully say I am the leader I am because of NRECA's Youth Tour.

What would you like people to know about electric co-ops? There is so much more to electric cooperatives than what appears. They have concern for the community and each individual voice within it. Obviously, they keep the lights on at home, but they also support local schools and businesses, foster community connections, give power to rural voices, and even support a small- town Kansas girl like me through my education.

Abbi Avers, 22

Central Rural Electric Cooperative, Stillwater, Oklahoma

Education: University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond. Major in mass communication with emphasis in professional media.

Dream job: To work in the media field. Whether that be in radio or news, I’m not certain at the moment, but I know that’s where I want to be. I’m heavily involved with my school’s student-produced newscast and radio station, and they’re both giving me the tools and experience I need to make that dream a reality.

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Hometown and what you like best about it: Carney, Oklahoma. What I like most is how small it is. Growing up, I knew everyone in my school and that helped me build close, lasting relationships that I don’t think I would’ve been able to build in a bigger school.  

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Youth Tour year and how the experience shaped you: 2021. Because of the pandemic, my tour experience was virtual, which was different from what most participants get to experience. Still, it made a lasting impact on me. It opened my eyes to the importance of leadership, civic engagement and the role electric co-ops play in our communities. It also helped me build confidence and communication skills that I still use today.

What would you like people to know about electric co-ops? They are more than just utility providers. They’re community-focused organizations that genuinely care about the people they serve. Co-ops invest in their communities, support local youth through programs like Youth Tour and work hard to provide reliable, affordable power. Their cooperative principles show that decisions are made with members' best interests in mind, and that makes a real difference in rural areas like mine.

Kevin McLain, 19

Singing River Electric Cooperative, Lucedale, Mississippi

Education: Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi, Major in business administration.

Dream job: A managerial position in a company and to lead my employees by making a positive impact in their lives. 

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Hometown and what you like best about it: Waynesboro, Mississippi. I like that it’s a relatively small town where everybody seems to know each other, so you will always have somebody to talk to when you are out and about.  

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Youth Tour year and how the experience shaped you: 2023. The experience of Youth Tour expanded my outlook on life by showing me how far my leadership values can reach and by connecting me with leaders around the world. 

What would you like people to know about electric co-ops? Electric co-ops are filled with some of the most passionate and caring people in the world. These individuals are dedicated to their respective communities and to the youth. They have inspired me to reach new heights, and I hope they continue to inspire more youth around the world. 

Sydney Reardon, 20

Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Aledo, Texas

Education: Southeastern Oklahoma State University-Aerospace Sciences Institute, Durant. Aviation/professional pilot major.

Dream job: Commercial airline pilot

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Hometown and what you like best about it: Roanoke, Texas. It has been so amazing to see the town grow and blossom into what it is today. I can remember when Babe’s Chicken House was the only real point of interest—a picture of me as a little girl in a Babe’s T-shirt still hangs on their wall—and now Roanoke is considered the Unique Dining Capital of Texas!  

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In 2023, I was crowned Miss Roanoke and competed for the title of Miss Texas. What an honor to represent my hometown. Roanoke will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Youth Tour year and how the experience shaped you: 2022. It truly was the “trip of a lifetime.” My perspective and understanding on the diversity of our nation’s communities evolved. From the research, observations and interviews I conducted while preparing my competition essay to the people I was blessed to meet and get to know on Youth Tour, I left that experience a better person for my community and a better citizen for my country. Youth Tour creates a special community, and I am privileged to call many of my fellow Texas delegates forever friends.

What would you like people to know about electric co-ops? They’re not strictly business, they’re community first, where employees or volunteers work hard for one another. For example, my essay focused on the vital importance of a lineman and compared them to first responders. In the most dire inclement weather, they are putting themselves in harm’s way in order to restore order and connectivity back to their community. I would never have known this without participating in my local Youth Tour contest.

Alieah Youngblood, 19

White River Valley Electric Cooperative, Branson, Missouri

Education: Junior at Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar, Missouri. Double major in marketing and English.

Dream job: I would love to write novels and run my own coffee shop and bookstore.

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Hometown and what you like best about it: Branson, Missouri. What I love most about Branson is the tight-knit community. We have a small enough population to always find a familiar face, but with all the attractions of a tourist area!  

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Youth Tour year and how the experience shaped you: 2023. More than anything, my Youth Tour experience taught me that true leaders are servant-hearted. I watched our NRECA leaders serve rowdy high school students through intentional, personal engagement. As I continue my own leadership journey as an RA at my college, I try to imitate previous leaders like Chris Massman (vice president of member services at Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives) and Nathan Stearns (coordinator, community programs, WRVEC).

What would you like people to know about electric co-ops? A key element everyone should know is co-ops’ commitment to community. My local co-op, WRVEC, hosts food drives, student scholarships, school fundraisers, education programs and much more. I would advise high school juniors and seniors especially to take advantage of their kindness. Youth Tour really is the trip of a lifetime.