Youth Tour empowers students, launches Co-ops Vote in Frankfort
Nearly 90 high school juniors from 16 electric cooperatives gathered Thursday, March 19, at the Kentucky Historical Society in Frankfort for the 2026 Frankfort Youth Tour—a day focused on civic engagement, leadership and the future of energy in Kentucky.
With the State Capitol closed for a multi-year renovation, this year’s event moved to a new setting, but the mission remained the same: connect students with leaders, deepen their understanding of government, and inspire participation in their communities.
The day began with an overview of electric cooperatives and quickly shifted into a series of conversations with state leaders, including members of the Rural Electric Cooperative Caucus.
Senator Amanda Mays Bledsoe, who represents the 12th Senate District, and Representative Wade Williams, who represents the 4th House District, spoke candidly about energy policy and the realities of public service. Along with Senator Jason Howell of the 1st Senate District, they emphasized the importance of reliable and affordable electricity, the economic potential of emerging industries like AI data centers, and the need for thoughtful legislation to support Kentucky’s growth. They also offered students a behind-the-scenes look at public service, including the challenges of leadership in an era of constant public scrutiny.
Howell, an attorney who returned to western Kentucky to serve his community, highlighted the region’s transition from an agricultural base to a growing hub for business and energy infrastructure. He also pointed to recent disaster recovery legislation as an example of how collaboration can make a meaningful difference.
For many students, the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with policymakers stood out.
“Energy is a very important issue to me,” says Kate Jarboe of Salt River Electric. “I wanted to hear, from a senator’s perspective, what they really thought was most important to the counties they were serving, and how we, as youth, could get involved.”
Grant Seaton of Jackson Purchase Energy said the discussions reinforced his desire to build a future in Kentucky.
“I love Kentucky, you know, like I’ve grown up here all my life,” he says. “Learning about all these new job opportunities—like engineering and these new AI data centers coming in—it’s gonna be really great.”
The event also marked the official launch of the 2026 Co-ops Vote initiative, a nonpartisan effort to boost voter participation in rural communities ahead of the April 20 voter registration deadline and the May 19 primary election.
Secretary of State Michael Adams, Kentucky’s chief elections officer, praised the program’s impact.
“This program really works. Co-ops Vote works,” Adams says. “We’ve seen an increase in rural turnout since you all started this program. And that makes a huge difference.”
Adams encouraged students to stay engaged beyond voting, emphasizing the importance of civic participation at every level of government.
“It’s really important that we inspire this younger generation to pay attention not just to what’s going on in Washington, but to look at every level of government,” he says.
Students later heard from Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman, an educator and former basketball coach who shared a message about leadership and finding purpose.
“You do not have to go to law school to be an elected official. And you do not have to be an elected official to be a leader,” Coleman says. “When you look around the room and you wonder, ‘Who’s gonna lead us out of this?’—look in a mirror, because oftentimes you guys are the answer.”
Throughout the afternoon, students rotated through activities including tours of the Old State Capitol, the Kentucky Historical Society museum, and interactive demonstrations such as a safety presentation led by Owen Electric Safety Manager Cody Beckham.
The program also highlighted the long-term impact of Youth Tour. Ezra Foote, a 2024 Youth Tour alumnus and now a freshman at the University of Louisville, returned as an aide to Senator Howell—and even had the opportunity to ask questions during the session.
Mallory Wafzig, manager of cooperative outreach for Kentucky Electric Cooperatives, said the day reflected the strength of the program and its participants.
“These students represent the very best of their communities,” Wafzig says. “They come prepared, they ask thoughtful questions, and they’re genuinely engaged in the issues shaping Kentucky’s future. When cooperatives invest in Youth Tour, they’re investing in the next generation of leaders who will strengthen our communities for years to come.”
For more than 50 years, Kentucky’s electric cooperatives have sponsored Youth Tour programs, including the weeklong Washington Youth Tour. Many of the students who participate in the Frankfort event will be chosen to travel to Washington in June as youth tour delegates. Both in the state capital and the nation’s capital, the tradition continues, offering students a firsthand look at government, energy policy and civic responsibility—while encouraging them to take an active role in shaping what comes next.
