BEMIDJI — Bemidji High School junior Elena Harmsen was selected as Beltrami Electric Cooperative’s Youth Tour representative for 2023.
Harmsen is the daughter of Erica and Jeff Harmsen of Bemidji and will attend the 2023 Youth Tour set for June 13-18 in Washington, D.C. Harmsen’s application reflected her strong commitment to academics and community volunteerism and her essay revealed a good understanding of what it means to be a member of an electric cooperative, the organization stated in a news release.
Students will learn about the cooperative difference, participate in leadership training and gain a firsthand understanding of the legislative process and advocating on behalf of their community. The tour includes visits to the Smithsonian, Arlington National Cemetery, Veterans Memorials, the Jefferson, Washington and Lincoln Memorials, and more.
“Electric cooperatives are about more than poles and wires – they’re about people and communities,” stated Angela Lyseng, Beltrami Electric Cooperative communications specialist, in the release. “Our youth are our future, and we are honored to be able to give them tools and experiences that will help them succeed.”
The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour has brought high school students to Washington, D.C., for more than 56 years. Students apply and are selected for this program by their local electric cooperative. More than 50,000 students have participated in this program since its creation. The tour is sponsored by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Minnesota Rural Electric Association and Beltrami Electric Cooperative.
Beltrami Electric Cooperative is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative located in Bemidji. Established in 1940, Beltrami Electric provides power to more than 18,250 member-owners within a 3,000-square-mile service area.
