Each summer Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative (CCEC) joins with other cooperatives around the nation to select 1,800 of our nation’s brightest students to participate in the annual National Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.

From June 15-21, these student representatives will converge on Washington, D.C. for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about American history, meet their members of Congress to discuss the critical issues impacting North Carolina, and explore the electric cooperative business model.

This year CCEC has selected Cooper Bass and Sofia Biedenbach to represent the cooperative at the 2025 National Rural Electric Youth Tour. Bass is a junior at West Carteret High School. Biedenbach is a junior at Croatan High School. While there were many qualified applicants, Cooper and Sofia's outstanding school and community involvement, and stellar academic records made them ideal choices for this enriching experience.

"Youth Tour is one of the many ways Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative invests in future generations and helps our young members find a path to accomplish their dreams and seek new opportunities,” commented Melissa Glenn, CCEC communications director. “We are delighted to be able to provide this opportunity to two deserving students.”

In addition to a trip to Washington, D.C. Youth Tour participants are eligible to apply for several college scholarships available only to National Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tourists.

The co-op will begin accepting applications for the 2026 National Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in August. High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors living in a home served by the cooperative are eligible to apply. Visit ccemc.com/YouthTour for more information.