WH’s 2025 Youth Tour delegate reflects on her experience
WH’s 2025 Youth Tour delegate Madie Barnes shares how she grew and what she learned on the 2025 Youth Tour trip.
Posted by Guest Blogger on July 28, 2025
By Madie Barnes, WH's 2025 Youth Tour delegate
This past June, I had the honor of representing Wright- Hennepin at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Youth Tour 2025 in Washington, D.C. From exploring historic monuments and museums, to meeting delegates from across the country, and even speaking with members of the U.S. Senate — Youth Tour was truly the experience of a lifetime.
One of the most memorable parts of the trip was our day on Capitol Hill. Being in the place where so many influential moments in our nation’s history have occurred was surreal. We experienced things that would never have been possible without this opportunity. One highlight was stepping into the U.S. Senate chamber — a room I had only seen in history textbooks and on the news. Witnessing the interns at work within the Capitol and the Senate office buildings was incredibly inspiring. Being in a place of such power and importance, while surrounded by like-minded students and young leaders, made participating in our country’s democratic process feel real and accessible.
Another key moment was meeting Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar to discuss the changes we felt were needed in rural Minnesota. Having our voices heard by national leaders made a lasting impression and showed me how much young people can truly impact the future.
One of the most unique and surprisingly memorable parts of the trip was pin trading. Delegates from each state brought pins to swap, and it turned into a fun and effective way to meet new people and make connections. Whether we were comparing accents or sharing what we knew about each other’s home states, this activity became one of my favorite parts of the trip. The networking and communication skills I developed will stay with me and open doors in the future.
The students, chaperones, and every representative we met along the way truly made this experience what it was. Before going on the trip, I knew I’d have incredible opportunities to learn and grow, but this tour exceeded every expectation I had. The friendships formed, the connections made, and the knowledge gained have shaped me into a stronger leader and advocate for rural America. I now know that my voice matters — and that it can be heard.
To any future juniors considering this opportunity: take the chance and apply to be next year’s Youth Tour representative. You definitely won’t regret it.
About Youth Tour at WH:
Annually, one high school student is chosen to represent WH in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Youth Tour, which brings together more than 1,800 high school students from around the country. Attendees spend a week visiting historical sites, making new friends, and enjoying once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to meet with Minnesota’s political representatives. Delegates learn firsthand about local and national government, and how electric cooperatives across America are affected by today’s political decisions.
