An outstanding essay allowed Manor’s J.T. Thomas, third from right, to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, an honor accorded to only a few youth tour participants. Caytlyn Phillips photograph/Texas Co-op Power magazine
Two high school seniors represented Bluebonnet at the government youth tour
Some of the nation's most famous sites and symbols were among memorable stops for Johnique “J.T.” Thomas and Tara Williams, high school seniors who represented Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative on the 2023 government youth tour in Washington, D.C.
The two spent 10 days in the nation’s capital in June. Thomas, a student at Manor Early College High School, and Williams, a student at Colorado River Collegiate Academy in Bastrop, joined hundreds of teenagers from across the nation for the annual trip.
At Arlington National Cemetery, Thomas participated in the wreath-laying ceremony that pays tribute to the sacrifices of unknown U.S. soldiers. One of Williams’ favorite stops was the Library of Congress. Their Government-in-Action Youth Tour included visits to the U.S. Supreme Court Building, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives' chambers, the Lincoln Memorial, Mount Vernon and many other iconic locations.
‘‘I was surprised how accessible the people who run our government are,’’ Thomas said. ‘‘They had welcome signs on their doors saying, ‘Please come in.’ ’’
Applications for the 2024 youth tour will become available on bluebonnet.coop in November.
Some of the nation's most famous sites and symbols were among memorable stops for Johnique “J.T.” Thomas and Tara Williams, high school seniors who represented Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative on the 2023 government youth tour in Washington, D.C.