By Josh Crotzer:

Thousands of people packed the streets of Washington, D.C., on June 14 for a thousand different reasons.

But 67 high schoolers from South Carolina shared one mission: to embark on a life-altering experience in their nation’s capital. 

Amid World Cup fever and celebrations of America’s 250th birthday, the Palmetto State’s delegation of Washington Youth Tour students set out for six days packed with visits to memorials, museums, monuments and transformational experiences.

The all-expenses-paid trip sponsored and run by South Carolina’s electric cooperatives began at Fort McHenry, site of the War of 1812 battle that inspired our national anthem. 

The rising high school seniors selected by their home electric cooperatives also toured George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the International Spy Museum.

One of the most meaningful experiences was Capitol Day, when the students met with congressional staff members at their offices and had conversations with U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham (pictured) and Tim Scott on the Capitol steps.

“Great meeting with the students participating in the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina (Washington) Youth Tour on the Senate steps,” Graham posted afterward. “It’s always encouraging to see young people interested in our government and committed to achieving their goals. The sunshine they brought with them sure seems to foreshadow a bright future ahead of them! And finally, a special thank you to the South Carolina Electric Cooperatives for investing in our state’s next generation. The co-ops’ contributions to South Carolina are unmatched!”

Trenton Faille, a student sent to Washington by Lynches River Electric Cooperative, is intent on encouraging his younger classmates at North Central High School to sign up for future Washington Youth Tour trips.

“They’ll get to meet new people and learn how government works,” says Faille. “A lot of people my age are not interested in politics, but politics is interested in them, and so it’s really important that you be engaged.”