Anna Hickert (far right), Hays, is one of five high school students selected by Midwest Energy to attend the 52nd annual “Government in Action” Youth Tour,  June 14-21,  in Washington, D.C.

Hickert,  Nathan Frame of Kinsley, Katie Showalter of Alexander, Will Allen of Brewster and Elizabeth Nedland of Oberlin were selected among several applicants, and will join 33 Kansas high school students selected by electric cooperatives throughout the state.

The five Midwest Energy delegates began their trip in Hays, touring Midwest Energy’s state-of-the-art Goodman Energy Center.   In Topeka, the Kansas delegation was joined by four students from Hawaii’s Kaua’i Island Utility, and both groups will visit Kaw Valley Electric Cooperative before flying to Washington.

Once in Washington, the Kansas delegation will join with 1,500 high school students from 45 states for a week of energy-themed educational meetings, meetings with elected representatives, and organized sightseeing events.

“They will gain valuable insight into the political process and develop great relationships that will serve them well as future community leaders, ” said Earnie Lehman, President and General Manager at Midwest Energy.

The annual youth tour is coordinated by Kansas Electric Cooperatives, the statewide service organization for the rural electric cooperatives in Kansas.

Hays-based Midwest Energy, Inc. is a customer-owned cooperative serving 49,000 electric customers and 42,000 gas customers in 41 counties of central and western Kansas.