Indiana Youth Tour takes students out of their comfort zone of rural Indiana and into the museums, memorials, and sights of Washington, D.C.
Noble REMC was fortunate to sponsor two students on the June trip, Madison Jack and Damyan Duncan, who traveled east to learn about public service, our country’s history and the electric cooperative story.
A delegation of Indiana students represented our state’s electric cooperatives, alongside thousands of students from across the country, while spending a week visiting numerous memorials and museums, participating in a youth rally hosted by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and spending time on Capitol Hill.
But it may be best to hear it directly from our delegates:
Madison Jack, East Noble High School
I would like to start by saying thank you to everyone who made this trip possible. I am so grateful that I got to experience this wonderful opportunity.
Before this, I had never been to Washington, D.C., and I loved every minute of this trip. The chaperones on the trip were all so kind and absolutely valued our safety above everything else. I am thankful to Noble REMC for believing that I would represent them well and sending me on this adventure.
By far, my favorite building that we got to see was the Capitol. I loved all the architecture and beautiful statues inside. The building was stunning, and I enjoyed exploring the magnificence of it all. Additionally, the Smithsonian Museums were all so captivating. There was so much to see, and I could spend days inside of them. Each museum was so interesting in its own way and told different stories.
On this trip, I went out of my comfort zone. I met so many new people and had to come out of my shell. I made so many new friends and have changed for the better. Being away from my family and everything I knew taught me a lot about myself and all the other people out there that I haven’t met yet. Getting to be around people from across the country was life-altering.
We always had something to do and were constantly on the go. There was so much to see, and we did not waste a second. Although it was tiring, no one was thinking about that with the fantastic places we got to visit.
Lastly, I would like to note that if there are any kids out there who are even considering it, you should go. You will regret not going more than you will ever regret choosing to go for it. This trip will change you in so many ways and so many opportunities are presented. Try new things and get out there.
Damyan Duncan, Central Noble High School
I had a great time on the Indiana Youth Tour trip. They say it’s the trip of a lifetime, and they are right.
At the start of the trip, I didn’t know anyone there, but I made plenty of friends from all over the state and others from all over the United States. This trip is a blast from when it starts all the way until the end of the trip. Getting selected to go on this trip meant a lot to me.
Being able to see everything in Washington for the first time with people my age makes this a trip I will never forget. All the monuments, memorials and museums I was able to see gave me a better understanding of our country’s history. What you learn on this trip is something you don’t usually get to learn or don’t think about on an everyday basis. This trip helped me realize what our country has been through to get to where it is now.
Realizing how much REMCs and cooperatives put into this trip for the youth to have a great time and go to Washington, D.C., really amazes me. On this trip, I also learned a lot about what the REMCs are used for and what they do — one of my favorite parts about this trip.
Getting to hear Senator Todd Young speak in person was a moment I will never forget, and we were able to talk to him for a while. There was a lot I was able to do on this youth trip that I would never have thought of doing before going.
Representing my home state with people my age is an amazing opportunity that I will always be grateful for. I want to thank my local Noble REMC for this amazing trip to Washington, D.C., that I was able to go on.
For anyone who reads this and has the chance to go on this trip in the coming years, take it, because it is the trip of a lifetime.
To learn more, visit our Indiana Youth Tour page.