SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. — Six outstanding students from across the Sequatchie Valley region are on their way to the nation’s capital as part of the 2026 Washington Youth Tour, sponsored by Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) and SVEConnect, and other local cooperatives around the country.
The students earned the opportunity through SVEC’s annual Washington Youth Tour Writing Contest, which challenges high school juniors to demonstrate their understanding of electric cooperatives and the impact they have on local communities. The program is designed to recognize leadership potential, encourage civic engagement, and provide students with a firsthand look at American government and history.
According to SVEC, first-place winners receive the opportunity to participate in the Washington Youth Tour, a leadership and educational experience that allows students to visit Washington, D.C., meet elected officials, learn about government, and network with fellow student leaders from across the country. Second- and third-place winners receive scholarships to help further their educational goals…