Youth Programs

FreeState Electric Cooperative invests in our youth with opportunities that are designed to reflect the realities of our society and its preference for dynamic, personal interactions.

FreeState is proud to partner with Kansas Electric Cooperatives to sponsor all-expense paid experiences that not only build confidence and leadership skills but provide students with an opportunity to learn more about themselves and the world around them.

These experiences are all-expenses-paid and will truly be the experiences of a lifetime for area youth. FreeState sponsors one student for each of the following experiences:

Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington D.C. is June 13-19, 2026.
Youth Leadership Camp in Steamboat Springs, CO is July 10-16, 2026.

Apply Online

Official Program Rules

Application Eligibility

A high school student enrolled in the 11th year (junior) whose parent(s) or guardian(s) receive electric service from FreeState Electric Cooperative, Inc., and reside full-time in the FreeState service territory.

How to Apply

Students can apply by completing the online application form that provides information about the student, including activities and characteristics that make them an ideal individual to represent FreeState. In addition, each student is required to submit a short essay that will accompany their application.

Essay Guidelines

Follow these guidelines when submitting your essay.

Submit an essay of at least 500 words, but not exceeding 1500.
Work should be original and unpublished.
Use of artificial intelligence should be limited.
Do not put your name on your essay.

Essay Topic

The role of mentoring in developing future leaders is so important. Write an essay about someone you look up to, or who exemplifies what it means to be a mentor or leader in your community.

Use of Artificial Intelligence

The use of generative AI tools (e.g., Chat GPT, Dall-e, etc.) is permitted for the following activities:

Brainstorming and refining your ideas.
Fine tuning your research questions.
Finding information on your topic.
Drafting an outline to organize your thoughts.
Checking grammar and style.

The use of generative AI tools is not permitted for the following activities:

Using the tool to compose content.
Writing a draft of the essay.
Writing entire sentences, paragraphs, or essays.
You are responsible for the information you submit based on an AI query (for instance, that it does not violate intellectual property laws, or contain misinformation or unethical content).

Your use of AI tools must be properly documented and cited. Any essay that is found to have used generative AI tools in unauthorized ways will be disqualified.

Delegate Selection

The top-five finalists in the written portion of the competition (application score plus essay score) will be invited to an interview with the youth program coordinator.
Following the interviews, two winners will be named. These students will receive all-expense-paid trips.
- One student will have an opportunity to attend the Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C.
- One student will experience Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp in Steamboat Springs, CO.
The third-place finisher will be named an alternate for either trip. The alternate would be asked to step in if another student could not attend their trip.
Essays will be reviewed and scored anonymously.
All applicants will be scored if submitted on time.
Applicants not scoring in the top-five will be notified.
All applicants shall be considered without regard to race, age, color, religion, gender, national origin, or existence of a physical handicap.
All decisions are final.

Scholarship Awards

Students that attend the youth program they were assigned to will be granted a one-time $1,000 scholarship to be paid in 2026 (senior year).
FreeState will award one (1) $1,000 scholarship to the winning students during their senior year (2025) pursuing a traditional college path, or a trade/technical school education.
Students will be required to complete a scholarship allocation form to have funds allocated to their higher education institution.
Please note that scholarships are not guaranteed if an award winner does not meet eligibility requirements.

Deadline to apply is 5:30 p.m. Thursday, February 12, 2026.

Electric Cooperative Youth Tour

Electric Cooperative Youth Tour

June 13-19, 2026

This trip is unlike any other. If selected, your local electric cooperative will send you on an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., with 40 other Kansas high school youth. So pack your sunscreen and walking shoes and get ready to build memories that will last a lifetime.

Click here to apply.

MEET TILLY JOHNSON

2025 Youth Tour DelegaTE

PERRY LECOMPTON HIGH SCHOOL

PARENTS: CINDY HART & TODD JOHNSON

My name is Tilly Johnson, and I am a junior at Perry Lecompton High School. I have a passion for music, staying active and learning new things.

Because my elementary and middle school did not have a sports program, I was drawn to music as an outlet. This later branched off into dance lessons, learning to play the clarinet, and being involved in multiple choirs. It wasn’t until my freshman year that I first participated in school sports (track, cheer, dance and tennis).

I enjoy school and most things that come with it. Over school breaks, I always find myself wanting to go back. I thrive off of social interaction, learning new information and the challenges that come with it. This is why I hope to never stop learning and to find a future career path that hopefully will help me inspire others.

EXCERPT FROM TILLY’S ESSAY ABOUT HER MENTOR

I was the new kid. As a freshman, I was new to the school but also new to the entire concept of band. I met Mr. Rathert for the first time before the school year started.

He quickly prompted conversation by asking me questions about myself. I told him I was going to be new this year, and he replied saying he was as well and that we would be learning together. This conversation alone gave me so much courage going into my first day of school, knowing that even if the rest of the day was nerve-wracking, I at least could find comfort in the fact I was not alone in this new place.

Three years later, that warmth and welcome have remained. Mr. Rathert has built our band program by not only inspiring younger students to give it a try, but also by cultivating an environment where kids feel welcome. No matter your skill level or social background, you can have a place in the band. I have seen an entire community’s perspective shift for the better.

One of the most important things Mr. Rathert has taught me does not have to do with music at all. He has taught me the importance of honesty and integrity and how to carry yourself with grace even in times of personal strife. He creates a space where even if all my other classes are stressful or chaotic, fifth-hour band stays consistently grounded and constructive. He always preaches that we should strive to be better people, not just better musicians.

TRIP NOTES

FreeState invests in our youth through opportunities to provide experiences that guide students to develop leadership and communication skills. Students went through a competitive application process where they prepared an application and an essay and then were selected for an interview where they earned the opportunity to represent FreeState.

Meet Bennett, the 2024 Youth Tour Delegate

My name is Bennett Minnick. I am a junior at Perry Lecompton High School. I have a passion for history that started from an early age. I love to watch historical documentaries and play historically inspired video games. I want my future to include teaching and coaching wrestling. I started to play football my sophomore year, and I play on both sides of the ball and on special teams. I wear the No. 3 to honor my late cousin, and I’m proud to keep his memory a part of me. I am on the wrestling team and a captain and participating in the Scholar’s Bowl. I started participating in the Scholar’s Bowl in middle school, and although it conflicts with sports, I find ways to participate in competitions. I play in the band and am first chair in the percussion section.

Excerpt from Bennett’s Essay About His Mentor

Coaches are the backbones of programs and the only ones who can see the growth of a player day to day. Yet, they are often underappreciated and blamed when players fail. I have been blessed with wonderful coaches in my athletic career, from Mr. Base, my early Taekwondo instructor, to Coach Robb, my current wrestling coach. They have taught me about leadership and recognizing change.

In my first year of high school, I joined the wrestling team and found a coach who could be both silly and serious, Coach Robb. He was just the assistant coach at the time, but soon became the head coach and implemented “the quote of the week” and the team mantra, “hold the rope.” He believed that if one person quit or skipped practice, it weakened the team.

During a week when I was injured, I helped coach the team. Robb said, “one more left to go” but I knew there were three more. He later explained, “Sometimes, as a coach, you have to know when to stop.” I realized that coaches must see when an athlete is past their limit.

Coach Robb was my first true high school coach, and I’m lucky to have learned from him. He is one of three teachers and coaches at Perry that truly have my deepest respect.

Youth Leadership Camp

Youth Leadership Camp

July 10-16, 2026

A chance to learn unlike any other. If selected, your local electric cooperative will send you on an all-expenses paid trip to a rustic Colorado mountain camp with 100 other high school youth from four states. So pack your bug spray and hiking shoes and get ready to build memories that will last a lifetime.

Click here to apply.

CHARLESEY COFFIN

MEET CHARLESEY COFFIN

2025 Leadership Camp Delegate

MCLOUTH HIGH SCHOOL

PARENTS: ABBY COFFIN & MICHAEL COFFIN

My name is Charlesey Coffin and I am a junior at McLouth High School.

I want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in music education at one of my top schools: the University of Kansas, Texas Christian University or the University of Arkansas and become a high school band director.

I am very active in my school, such as being our FFA chapter reporter for the past two years and being a class officer for five years. I am also a member of the student council, play varsity softball, and I am on the McLouth Bands leadership team.

Outside of school, I raise sheep and goats and participate in 4-H to show at the state and county level, as well as being very involved in many music groups such as the Youth Symphony of Kansas City and Band of Angels.

EXCERPT FROM CHARLESEY’S ESSAY ABOUT HER MENTOR

When I think of a person who defines the meaning of a mentor in my life and my community, I immediately think of my ag teacher and my FFA Advisor, Mrs. H.

Starting the position in 2013, she worked tirelessly to build an FFA program from the ground up as our school didn’t previously have one.

She organized funding for the upcoming program and worked incredibly hard to get the school boards’ permission for the founding of the program.

Mrs. H has also made it her priority to incorporate community support into her FFA chapter in numerous ways. She manages so much outreach within our community such as inviting stakeholders to FFA banquets, advocating for ag education in our elementary school by having a student teach a lesson about agriculture once a month, supporting the McLouth Threshing Bee and McLouth Tractor Pull by setting up volunteer opportunities for her students, organizing many appreciation breakfasts for local businesses, asking local businesses to send employees to talk to students about their career force and job opportunities within the communities that students can take advantage of once they graduate, and lastly, setting up a food program with a student to help feed the community by sending out food string bags for those in need. In all of these scenarios, Mrs. H has made so many connections in the community and made McLouth FFA students a friend to all of those people.

TRIP NOTES

Meet Ava, the 2024 Leadership Camp Delegate

My name is Ava Gustin, and I attend Mission Valley High School located in Eskridge. At my school, I enjoy interacting with younger students and participating in community service. I live in a rural part of Carbondale. While at home, I love to garden, read, bake and hang out with my family. I have two older sisters. One currently lives in Kansas City after she recently graduated from Kansas State University. The other lives in Manhattan and is a current K-State student. My family is full of K-Staters as my mom really enjoys cheering on the wildcats. During the summer, 4-H is one of my favorite activities and I love feeding pigs with my dad, sewing outfits for the fashion revue, and mentoring younger members.

Excerpt from Ava’s Essay About Her Mentor

When people think of a leader, they might think of someone who has made great social change. But for me, it is more personal. My hero is my grandmother, Nancy Faimon. She taught me to love and respect other beings and showed kindness to everyone.

As a child, I remember walking down Grandma’s long driveway to see baby bunnies in the barn. She was my idol and instilled in me a love for the outdoors and animals. When my parents went on a date, I would go to Grandma’s house. She kept Oatmeal Creme Pies in her closet for her grandkids and we would stay up playing Monopoly. Grandma was always hardworking and never complained.

Grandma showed me that leadership is not about being front and center. She made holidays about her family and put others above herself. She made me feel special and was my number one cheerleader. She gave my sisters and me a bear that sang “Shining Star” by the Manhattans.

Grandma was authentic and did not care about appearances. Her priority was her family. She treated everyone the same, regardless of their background or wealth. She had a “glass half full” outlook and was a calming presence.

One day, Grandma forgot to pick us up from school. We later learned she had Alzheimer’s. But she remained strong and did not take her issues out on others. Now, she is in the progression of her disease to forget me, but I will never forget the impact she had on my life. She was always there for me, and now it is time for me to repay her kindness by serving others as she served me.

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Youth Programs

Official Program Rules