This was a very special year for many young leaders from electric cooperatives who headed to the nation’s capital, leading up to the country’s 250th birthday. In total, 14 youth delegates from 11 Wisconsin electric cooperatives joined peers from across the country in Washington D.C. for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Youth Tour. Two Rock Energy youth members attended, including Kelby Schneider and Olivia Huber. The event was held June 15-19. Every electric co-op has the opportunity to sponsor students to participate in this educational tour of the nation’s capital.
Pictured above, youth co-op members visit the Capitol building as part of the 2026 Washington D.C. Youth Tour. Rock Energy youth members attending were Kelby Schneider and Olivia Huber.
Pictured above, youth co-op members stop to take a look at the Washington Monument on the 2026 Washington D.C. Youth Tour.
Visit To Capitol Hill
As part of this year’s tour, the group visited the White House Visitor Center and Capitol Hill where they sat in the gallery and witnessed the legislative process in action. They saw Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin) cast a vote live, and then met with Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) and staffers from Congressman Derek Van Orden’s (R-3rd District) office.
Some of the other tour stops included:
• The National Archives
• U.S. Navy Memorial Plaza
• Pentagon (guided tour)
• Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
• Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial
• George Mason Memorial
• Thomas Jefferson Memorial
• Smithsonian Air and Space Museum
• Arlington National Cemetery
2026 YLC
Five Rock Energy Cooperative high school youth members joined dozens of other high school students representing 20 Wisconsin electric cooperatives at the University of Wisconsin–Stout July 14–16 for the Wisconsin Electric
Cooperative Association’s annual Youth Leadership Conference (YLC), where they developed leadership skills, explored the cooperative business model, and prepared to become ambassadors for Wisconsin’s electric cooperatives.
The five Rock Energy student members attending were:
• Isaac Busch
• James MacNeal
• Leif Anderson
• Maeve Anderson
• Evan Peters
ABOVE: YLC BOARD / 2026-27
FRONT ROW (L to R): Isaac Busch (Rock Co-op) and Sophie Pernsteiner (Riverland Co-op)
MIDDLE ROW (L to R): Briella Brusveen (Adams Co-op) and Tyler Boettcher (Oakdale Co-op)
BACK ROW (L to R): Ethan Moe (Pierce Co-op), Bennett Gehrke (Vernon Co-op, Alternate), and James MacNeal (Rock Co-op)
Pictured above, co-op youth members participate in activities at the 2026 YLC event.
In addition, two Rock Energy student members, James MacNeal and Isaac Busch, were elected to the Youth Board.
The three-day conference featured leadership development, team-building activities, district meetings, and presentations focused on personal growth, safety, and emerging technology. Students heard from motivational speaker Craig Hillier, who challenged them to become breakthrough leaders, and Hunter Gillett, who shared his inspiring story of resilience after surviving a plane crash.
They also learned about safe driving from WECA’s Ben Bella and explored how technology is shaping the future with
Dairyland Power Cooperative Vice President and Chief Information Officer Nate Melby.
“This year’s Youth Leadership Conference was a great experience,” said Tina Walden, WECA’s youth and education director. “It was wonderful to see the students build new friendships, challenge themselves, and grow as leaders throughout the program. Their enthusiasm, engagement and willingness to step outside their comfort zones made the event a success.”
A new addition to this year’s conference expanded participation beyond electric cooperative youth delegates. Through a grant from Dairyland Power Cooperative, three FFA members and three 4-H members attended YLC to learn more about the cooperative business model and the role electric cooperatives play in Wisconsin communities.
Students concluded the conference by electing the 2026–27 Wisconsin Youth Board.
Through YLC, Wisconsin’s electric cooperatives continue investing in the next generation of leaders by giving students the confidence, skills, and understanding of the cooperative difference that will benefit them in their schools, communities, and future careers.