Washington Youth Tour
An expense-paid Washington, D.C., trip for high school juniors
High school juniors can enter MTE’s annual creative writing contest for a chance to win an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. Each year, winners join nearly 2,000 students from across the country for an unforgettable experience in June. To enter, students are asked to write a short story about how local electric co-ops connect communities.
For background information and additional writing resources, visit https://youthtour.tnelectric.org/ or view the latest resource book.
Application and deadlines
Entries are due Feb. 14 and should be submitted through participating schools. If your school does not participate, you attend a remote school, or you are homeschooling, you may also self-submit by emailing MTE Community Relations using the information below and including the required cover sheet.
What to write about
The goal is simple: show how local electric co-ops make a difference in the communities they serve. Students can focus on the many ways co-ops support daily life, including energy, education, broadband, and economic development. Resources on the official Youth Tour website can help students better understand electric co-ops and gather ideas before they begin writing.
Previous winners and their stories
2026 Winning Short Story
Congratulations to Natalie Hudgens! Her winning short story called “Energizing Every Moment” was selected for 2026.
Check out previous winning essays.
Contact MTE's Community Relations Team
MTE’s Community Relations team works to strengthen connections between MTE and the communities we serve. Whether you're looking for information about community involvement, SharingChange, educational opportunities, events, partnerships, or outreach programs, our team is here to help.
We're here to serve MTE members and community partners through community engagement efforts and programs.
Email: communityrelations@mte.com
Phone: 877-777-9020
Online: mte.com/Community