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Perhaps OEC’s best-known and most anticipated youth program, Youth Tour, is a week-long, all-expenses-paid educational trip to Washington, D.C., in June of each year. OEC annually sponsors four delegates—all juniors—from high schools within its service territory on Youth Tour. Students travel with the Oklahoma delegation (70+ students) to our nation’s capital, where they tour historic sites and national landmarks, meet Oklahoma’s congressional delegation, and more. Youth Tour has earned a reputation as “a trip of a lifetime” among former participants.
Applicants will submit an essay or written speech on a defined topic. Eight applicants will be selected as finalists to progress in the contest. Four winners will be selected for the Washington, D.C. tirp following live presentations. The four runners-up will be awarded a trip to Camp RYLA, a leadership camp held near Sulphur, OK.
The subject of the essay is: ‘Energizing Every Moment: How co-ops are providing communities with more than just power.’ Explain how co-ops are providing communities with more than just power (energy, broadband, opportunities, community and youth empowerment, etc.)
The essays will be evaluated, and eight finalists will be chosen. Those finalists will attend the awards banquet and present their essays in speech form to the judges. Four winners of the Oklahoma Youth Tour Contest will be selected.
*Essays will be scanned and tested for use of AI. If the essays show a majority use of AI, they will be disqualified.
You must mention Oklahoma Electric Cooperative or ‘OEC’ in your essay.
Contestants will be required to submit an application that includes an essay of 750- 900 words in length.
Essays and entry forms must arrive at OEC no later than 11:59 p.m., November 1, 2026.
12-point, Times New Roman font, double spaced.
Your essay must be revised and edited by a teacher before submission.
‘Energizing Every Moment: How co-ops are providing communities with more than just power.’ Explain how co-ops are providing communities with more than just power (energy, broadband, opportunities, community and youth empowerment, etc.)
Fear of public speaking? No problem! We invite eight finalists to attend a mandatory half-day professional development workshop, during which a seasoned public speaking expert will coach them. Participants will learn techniques to hone their speech craft and visual presentation skills. OEC staff will also be on hand to ensure the finalists are confident in speaking about cooperatives.
Finalists will present their co-op ideas live before three judges on January 28, 2027.
In this contest, judges look for each applicant’s power of persuasion – first in writing and then in oration. Present your speech with confidence, showing your understanding of how electric cooperatives affect your community and daily life. Convince the judges that co-ops play an essential role in every community. Make a strong connection by highlighting that cooperatives can and do touch lives daily.
