MLEC Short Story Winners Return Home

Six students spent a week in DC at the Washington Youth Tour

(July 9, 2025 – Centerville, TN) – Six high school juniors and one teacher from Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative’s service area recently represented their communities and the cooperative spirit during the 2025 Washington Youth Tour.

From June 14–20, these students joined over 130 of their peers from across Tennessee for a once-in-a-lifetime leadership and learning experience in the nation’s capital.

Representing MLEC were:

• Mary Mitra, Hickman County High School
• Fisher Sutton, Houston County High School
• Geena Caprio, Lewis County High School
• Ryan Lynch, McEwen High School
• Marian Callicott, Waverly Central High School
• Rhonda Ledbetter, Perry County High School (Overall winner of MLEC’s Washington Youth Tour Short Story Writing Contest)
• Kennedi Bates, Perry County High School English Teacher

Pictured from left to right: MLEC Communications Coordinator Benjamin Armstrong, Waverly Central High School delegate Marian Callicott, Houston County High School delegate Fisher Sutton, Hickman County High School delegate Mary Mitra, McEwen High School delegate Ryan Lynch, Perry County High School delegate, Rhonda Ledbetter, Perry County High School teacher Kennedi Bates, Lewis County High School delegate Geena Caprio and MLEC Employee and Member Services Assistant Holly McKennon.

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MLEC Communications Coordinator Benjamin Armstrong and Employee and Member Services Assistant Holly McKennon served as chaperones during the weeklong trip. The students explored American history, government and the impact of rural electric cooperatives.

“At MLEC, we believe in investing in the next generation of leaders,” President and CEO Keith Carnahan said. “The Washington Youth Tour isn’t just a trip, but a powerful experience that helps young people understand the value of community, civic duty, and public service. We’re proud to support these students as they grow into the voices and visionaries of tomorrow.”

They toured Monticello, the historic home of Thomas Jefferson. Students explored the Smithsonian Museums, the International Spy Museum, and the National Zoo. They reflected at the several monuments, Ford’s Theatre, and the Holocaust Memorial Museum. Delegates cruised the Potomac River, attended Youth Day at the Gaylord National Resort and met Tennessee congressional representatives before touring the U.S. Capitol. Delegate Ryan Lynch was also selected to participate in the wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier alongside three other WYT delegates from Tennessee.

MLEC’s delegates earned their spots through the cooperative’s Washington Youth Tour Short Story Contest, where students responded to the theme “Energizing Every Moment.” The prompt encouraged participants to reflect on how electric cooperatives provide safe, reliable power and build strong, connected communities.

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