Four Hays County Students To Visit D.C. With PEC’s 2020 Youth Tour

March 5, 2020

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JOHNSON CITY, Texas — Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) will send Buda home-school student Nyah Gray, Hays High School student Jesus Jimenez, San Marcos Academy student Catarina Vazquez, and Wimberley High School student Luthary Segura to Washington, D.C., as part of the 2020 Youth Tour.

They’ll join 1,500 additional students from other electric cooperatives across the country June 17-26 in the nation’s capital.

This year, PEC selected 10 students, with representatives from all over the cooperative’s service area. As part of the competition, students were asked to answer five short questions and submit two reference letters.

“I’m so excited for this year’s talented group of Youth Tour delegates and the experience that awaits them,” PEC Youth Engagement Representative Celeste Mikeska said. “It will be the trip of a lifetime, and hopefully by learning about public service firsthand, they will be inspired to become future leaders.”

While in Washington, students will have the opportunity to visit historical sites, meet with their elected officials in Congress, and learn firsthand about our government.

PEC’s 2020 Youth Tour delegates are:

Danae Barkocy, Leander High School
Nyah Gray, Home School – Buda
Pierce Heller, Canyon Lake High School
Jesus Jimenez, Hays High School
Vishal Narra, Westwood High School
Ashlee Reed, Georgetown High School
Luthary Segura, Wimberley High School
Morgan Sholund, Smithson Valley High School
Stephanie Valdez, Leander High School
Catarina Vazquez, San Marcos Academy

In 1957, then-Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson urged the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s directors and staff to bring young people to Washington, D.C.

That idea spurred the creation of the Youth Tour program; PEC has been a participant in the program for 39 years.