Sussex Academy student Lauren Pieshala is one of three rising high school juniors chosen by the Delaware Electric Cooperative to attend the 2026 Youth Tour this summer.

“I will join more than 1,800 students from across the country in Washington, D.C., where I’ll learn about co-ops, leadership and democracy all while sightseeing and making lifelong friendships,” Pieshala said. “I will also meet with government officials.”

Pieshala, whose family belongs to the cooperative, said she thought participating in the event would be a great opportunity after reading about it in the cooperative’s monthly newsletter. So, she applied and was accepted to the nationally recognized program.

The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour is a leadership opportunity for rural high school students served by the cooperative. It is coordinated by Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

As a delegate, Pieshala will develop leadership skills through workshops and real-world experiences as she connects with peers, experiences the area’s monuments and museums, and learns how electric cooperatives support rural communities.

“Right now I am also applying to be the one representative of Delaware Electric to represent at the national level,” Pieshala said.