Two local students got a life-changing leadership experience on the 2025 Youth Tour trip to Washington, D.C. These students from the South Central Power service territory represented the cooperative during the annual Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in our nation’s capital.
Autumn Overby from Circleville and Andrew Pohlman from Circleville were among 46 high school students from throughout Ohio who visited Washington, D.C., June 15 through 21. They joined more than 1,200 students from electric co-ops across the country who visited the U.S. capital as part of the Youth Tour trip.
Youth Tour is a weeklong, all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., that gives exceptional high school students the opportunity to make friends from across the country and see many of the famous sights. Youth Tour delegates are children of South Central Power members who completed an application and interviewed to attend the trip.
Students had the opportunity to learn about leadership and public service by meeting with lawmakers. They also had the opportunity to see many of the sights of the nation’s capital, including the World War II memorial, Thomas Jefferson memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. memorial, the United States Capitol, Arlington National Cemetery and much more!
About the delegates
Autumn Overby attends Logan Elm High School, where she participates in marching and concert band, student union, Key Club, drama club, and National Honor Society. Outside of school, she volunteers her time to Rainbow Girls, a youth group focusing on leadership and community service, and participates in community theater.
Andrew Pohlman is active in his youth group, leading worship, playing bass, and even going on a mission trip. He attends New Hope Christian Academy, where he is in the National Honor Society (serving as secretary), plays soccer, and runs cross country.
Youth Tour history
Cooperatives have sent students on the Youth Tour trip since 1964. Offering opportunities like Youth Tour is part of our commitment to the communities we serve. By encouraging success for these young people, we hope to prepare them for leadership roles in our community. Building long-term relationships with youth and educating them about the significance of electric cooperatives helps ensure the success of our own cooperative.
Want to go on Youth Tour?
It’s not too early to think about next year’s Youth Tour, which is in June. Youth Tour applications will be available on our website, beginning in January. You must be a high school junior in the 2025-2026 school year to apply for the trip.