Lowery chosen for once-in-a-lifetime trip to Washington, D.C.

Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative (MWEC) is proud to announce the winner of its 2025 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour essay competition, Alivia Lowery.

In June, Lowery will join nearly 2,000 students from across the country on a weeklong trip to our nation’s capital, where she will visit historic locations, observe the inner workings of our nation’s government and learn about the important roles electric cooperatives play in their communities, country and world.

The all-expense-paid trip is sponsored by MWEC. “Electric cooperatives do much more than keep the lights on. They’re also committed to improving the lives of the members and communities they serve. One of the ways MWEC  demonstrates this commitment is through its participation in the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour,” MWEC General Manager Alex Vournas says. “The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow. Youth Tour gives students the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the world around them, while developing leadership skills. We are proud to provide this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to empower their future.”

Lowery, a sophomore at Williston High School, will join other winners representing 15 North Dakota electric cooperatives on this year’s Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. Lowery earned the free trip to Washington, D.C., by answering the essay question, “Why is it important to be involved in your community, and how does that prepare you to be a future leader?” The annual essay writing contest is open to high school students in their sophomore or junior year whose parents or guardians are members of a participating electric cooperative.

The program is coordinated by the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Based in Mandan, NDAREC is the statewide trade association for North Dakota’s electric cooperatives.

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