Janessa Carlyle and Peyton Lowery, students selected by Lumbee River EMC, recently returned from an unforgettable week in Washington, D.C. as part of the 2025 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. From June 15–21, they joined fellow high school students from across North Carolina for a once-in-a-lifetime experience filled with learning, leadership, and fun.

The tour began with orientation and a welcome dinner in Raleigh, where students met their peers, heard from past Youth Tour participants, and celebrated the announcement of the Youth Leadership Council (YLC) winner. From there, the group traveled to the nation’s capital for a packed week of activities.

Highlights included visits to the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and the U.S. Capitol, where students met with North Carolina legislators. They explored the Smithsonian museums, honored history at the Holocaust Museum, and enjoyed cultural experiences like dinner in Old Town Alexandria and a performance of Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center.

The Youth Tour is more than just a trip, it’s a celebration of civic engagement and the potential of young leaders. Lumbee River EMC is proud to support opportunities like this that invest in the future of our communities through education and experience.