A Tribute to NMRECA’s 2020 Youth Tour Delegates By Ariana Kramer
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ach 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-
14 August 2020 • enchantment.coop
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.
