Youth Tour Opens Doors for Fayette EC Students

Fayette Electric Cooperative is pleased to share that Laney Bludau, a junior from Hallettsville High School, along with Gretchen Sacks, a senior at Round Top‑Carmine High School, have been chosen as the cooperative’s representatives for the 2026 Government‑in‑Action Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.

Chosen from a competitive pool of applicants through Fayette Electric Cooperative’s Youth Tour contest, Gretchen and Laney earned the opportunity to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime educational experience. This June, they will join more than 145 students from across Texas on an all-expenses-paid journey to the nation’s capital, where they will explore historic landmarks, visit museums, and gain a firsthand look at how the federal government works.

“The Government in Action Youth Tour gives students the chance to experience history and leadership in a way that can’t be taught in a classroom,” said Tracy Denton, Fayette Electric Cooperative’s Youth Tour coordinator. “We are proud to sponsor this opportunity and invest in students who show a strong interest in learning, leadership, and civic involvement.”

Since 1965, Texas Electric Cooperatives has sponsored the Government-in-Action Youth Tour, an initiative inspired by former U.S. Senator Lyndon B. Johnson’s belief that young people should experience democracy firsthand.

Gretchen and Laney’s Youth Tour experience will begin in Austin before traveling to Washington, D.C. Their schedule will include visits to iconic monuments and memorials, meetings with congressional representatives, and a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

After 10 days of exploration and learning, Gretchen and Laney will return home with new perspectives and a stronger understanding of the role citizens play in shaping the future.

At Fayette Electric Cooperative, investing in the next generation of leaders is a priority. Programs like Youth Tour reflect the cooperative’s commitment to education and leadership development.