2020 Government-in-Action Youth Tour

A Tribute to NMRE CA’s 2020 Youth Tour Delegat es

By Ariana Kramer

Each June, New Mexico’s rural electric cooperatives sponsor students from their service areas to attend an allexpense-paid trip to Washington D.C. through the Governmentin-Action Youth Tour. The New Mexico delegates are also supported by the New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperative Association and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Nearly 1,400 students from electric co-ops across the nation’s rural communities convene in D.C. to learn about electric co-ops, meet their congressional leaders, learn about the government, and tour the nation’s capital. This year the trip was canceled due to COVID-19. Our cover story for enchantment Magazine is dedicated to the 31 student delegates who were selected, but were unable to participate in this “trip of a lifetime.”

When the students for the New Mexico contingency of the 2020 Youth Tour first found out they had been selected, they experienced a myriad of feelings, including surprise, shock, excitement, joy, and gratitude. Heidi Garcia says, “I was really excited, and I couldn’t stop smiling, especially since I worked really hard on the essay I submitted.”

There were many aspects of their trip the students were looking forward to experiencing from making new friends to trying new foods to participating in community service projects and learning about U.S. government and history. Some of the sights the students were especially excited to visit were the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon, and the White House.

“I was most looking forward to meeting many different people from all over the country and creating new friendships,” says Ava Martinez.

After learning their trip had been canceled, the students’ feelings of elation were naturally deflated. Every one of them felt disap

pointed. Even so, many said it was the right decision for their safety and the safety of those around them. Some are hopeful they might be selected again next year. For the most part, this 2020 cohort finished their school year online, or through home-schooling. They missed out on socializing with peers, classroom learning, prom and graduation ceremonies as well as extracurricular activities. Classes such as music were especially difficult in an online format.

“It has been an interesting journey,” says Nicole Puderbaugh, “but I’ve now learned not to take actual school for granted because you will quickly miss it when it’s gone.”

The 2020 Youth Tour delegates shared with us what they have been doing during quarantine, and their plans and dreams for their futures. We wish them all the best!

Delegates’ names are followed by their grade levels during the 2019-20 school year. These are followed by their home town, county and electric cooperative.

Anders Nelson 11th grade, Texico High School Texico in Curry County Farmers’ Electric Cooperative

One positive that came out of the quarantine was the result of an ag mechanics assignment to make something out of wood. I started making wooden crosses and have even begun to sell them. I have also been raising my lambs for the county fair in hopes that we will have a fair as I will take a big loss financially if the fair is not allowed. I have also been able to spend a lot of extra time with my family. I have also been working out trying to keep in shape for my senior year of football and basketball. As a junior, I have many friends in the senior class, and I was heartbroken for them and all the things that were canceled their senior year—sports, FFA contests, prom, graduation, and award ceremonies—they can never get these back. My plans and dreams are to get back to normal so that my senior year is not canceled as well. I am excited to play football and basketball my senior year and take in all I can as I finish off my high school career. As for the future beyond high school… I’m still trying to figure out the path God has for me.

Annemarie Magaña 12th grade, Deming High School Deming in Luna County Columbus Electric Cooperative

While in quarantine, I have been biking a lot and spending more time with my family which has been great. My dream for the future is to pursue a career as a dental hygienist which leads me to be attending Doña Ana Community College/NMSU in the fall.

Ashlynn Keel 11th grade, Cloudcroft High School Cloudcroft in Otero County Otero County Electric Cooperative

During the “quarantine,” I’ve been helping my church distribute breakfasts and lunches to kids in our community, doing lots of puzzles, and anxiously awaiting the opening of Hobby Lobby! I’m planning on going to college at Eastern New Mexico University for music education and educational law. My dream is to direct a high school marching band, and to give my students the ability and opportunity to impact the world around them with their music.

Ava Martinez 12th grade, West Las Vegas High School Ribera in San Miguel County Mora-San Miguel Electric Cooperative

I have mostly been spending time with my mom, helping take care of our new puppy, cuddling with my cats, and trying to stay active. I have enlisted in the United States Air Force and I should be leaving for basic training in September as long as the schedule stays the same due to COVID-19. I am really excited about this path and I am honored to serve our country.

Chance Essary 11th grade, Floyd High School Floyd in Roosevelt County Roosevelt County Electric Cooperative

School during quarantine has really made me appreciate the freedom we have in this country. We are lucky to have grown up in such a great country where we can get a great education. I wouldn’t want to do school during quarantine again due to it’s a lot more difficult to learn. I have been on the tractor getting our land ready for the upcoming planting season and doing other chores around my family farm. I have been working on habits to improve myself for the next school year. I plan to attend a local college and get a degree in technology.

Codi Jane Wright 11th grade, Animas High School Animas in Hidalgo County Columbus Electric Cooperative

Considering where I live, being quarantined really didn’t affect me except with school and sports because I’m in a really rural area. I have been working at our local valley mercantile and working with my show pig, hoping we still have our county fair. I have 1 Hampshire/ Berkshire crossbreed and 2 Hampshire pigs. One of my Hamp pigs has really big ears compared to the other pigs. He has a really mellow personality and is easy to work with. My other Hamp is ornery but very loveable. My Berk has a spunky personality and loves to run and play. My plans are to graduate high school, attend college at Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher, Arizona to become a nurse, and eventually get married and have a family of my own. I have always wanted to be a nurse, probably because my Nanny (grandma) was a nurse. I watched her care for others and she taught me to do the same. I enjoy helping people become well.

Cordelia Wier 11th grade, Tatum High School Lovington in Lea County Lea County Electric Cooperative

Much of my time in quarantine has been to help on the farm. I have helped change hoses on pivots, fertilize cotton, and give shots to calves. In my free time, I have been practicing leather work making jewelry and knife sheaths. I plan to go to college and major in political science. I plan to go on and become a lawyer and eventually become a politician and run for Senate or Congress.