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Guided by our cooperative commitment to community, Pella Cooperative Electric has a long history of supporting students in the communities we serve through scholarships and leadership opportunities. We've also been sending deserving high school students to our nation's capital every summer for years as part of the National Electric Cooperative Youth Tour program.

Iowa’s electric cooperatives are pleased to once again offer a virtual opportunity for rural students to learn more about advocacy, electric cooperative career opportunities, and the cooperative business model with a three-part webinar series in October. The Iowa Youth Leadership Academy is open to any high school student in our service area and they are invited to register at www.IowaYouthTour.com by October 1.

“This new program is perfect for rural Iowa students who have a passion for public service, leadership, or government,” remarked Doug Stewart. “We want to raise students’ awareness of how local electric co-ops power people’s lives and empower communities. We also want to talk about exciting cooperative career paths that are available in smaller communities.”

Once students register online for the Iowa Youth Leadership Academy, they can attend the webinars from their own computer or mobile device. Each Zoom session will last around 45-60 minutes and focus on a specific topic:

• Sunday, October 4 | 7:00 p.m. - Why Cooperatives Matter and How to Effectively Advocate
• Sunday, October 18| 7:00 p.m. - Being a Leader

At the end of each live session, one attendee will be selected at random to win a $500 scholarship; students who attend both sessions will be entered into a bonus drawing for a $1,000 college scholarship. All students who register online at IowaYouthTour.com receive a special box of co-op goodies in the mail. 

During the Zoom sessions, students will be inspired by our lineup of speakers and presenters. Participants will learn how to advocate for issues that are important to them and build leadership skills from a dynamic speaker. Attendees will also hear about Iowa Youth Tour. Students with an interest in government and public service are encourage to apply for this weeklong trip to Washington, D.C. The 2027 Youth Tour is slated for June 16-22 next summer.

Registration opens for the academy August 15, 2026. For questions, contact PCEA at 641-628-1040.