About the Youth Tour
The Youth Tour is sponsored nationally by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and statewide by the Alabama Rural Electric Association. Each year, almost 2,000 outstanding high school students from across the nation visit their state and nation’s Capitols to develop leadership skills, to learn more about U.S. history and government, and to gain a personal understanding of their role as a citizen.
Baldwin EMC will provide each Youth Tour winner with a $750 nonrenewable scholarship. The award will be dispersed directly to the accredited school selected by the scholarship recipient, contingent upon and subject to the recipient graduating from high school and passing all required graduation exams.
Students will list the name of a teacher who has made a significant impact on them during high school on their application. Teachers of winning students will receive an award of $500 for educational classroom materials.
2026 Youth Tour Dates
Montgomery Youth Tour: March 11-13, 2026
Washington Youth Tour: June 14-20, 2026
2026 Application Process
The deadline for applications for the 2026 Youth Tour Scholarship has passed. Applications for the 2027 Youth Tour Scholarship will be available in the fall of 2026.
High school juniors with a minimum 2.5 GPA must complete the Youth Tour application, answer the provided essay question, and submit a resume that demonstrates leadership, extra-curricular/school activities, and community service. A panel of judges will interview the top finalists at the Baldwin EMC corporate office in Summerdale. Four students will be awarded trips to Montgomery, Alabama, and Washington, D.C., and a college scholarship.
Submit applications by email: cshanor@baldwinemc.com
Or by mail:
Caroline Shanor, Youth Tour Coordinator
Baldwin EMC
19600 Highway 59
Summerdale, AL 36580
Meet the 2026 Youth Tour Delegates
Farrah Lane
Bayside Academy
Farrah Lane is the daughter of Hillary and Clayton Lane of Daphne, Alabama. She attends Bayside Academy, where she is a multisport athlete and is currently enrolled in Advanced Placement coursework, with an expected graduation in May 2027. A driven leader and high-performing student, Farrah has served three consecutive years on the National Charity League Board, including two terms as Vice President of Culture and one year as Secretary. She is an Outstanding Delegate Award recipient in Youth Legislature, where she debated original legislation at the state level, and was named the top-scoring witness at the Alabama Mock Trial state tournament. A dedicated athlete, Farrah has been a six-rotation varsity volleyball player on Bayside Academy’s national record-breaking team since her sophomore year and competes in club volleyball with Eastern Shore Volleyball Club. Outside the classroom, she remains active in vocal performance and community service.
Kortlyn White
Elberta High School
Kortlyn White is the daughter of Monica and Shane White of Elberta, Alabama. She attends Elberta High School, where she is a dedicated student-athlete and scholar, with an expected graduation in May 2027. A driven leader both in and out of the classroom, Kortlyn is a Varsity Volleyball player and serves as Vice President of the Spanish Club. She is also an active member of the National Honor Society and Junior Optimist Club, a Junior Ambassador for Baldwin County, an AFC Youth Board Representative, and a HOBY Alumni Staff member. Academically accomplished, Kortlyn has earned a 30+ ACT score and is enrolled in Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement coursework.
Margaret Conyers
Fairhope High School
Margaret Conyers is the daughter of Ashley and Jimmy Conyers of Fairhope, Alabama. She attends Fairhope High School, where she is a high-achieving student and involved leader with an expected graduation date of May 2027. Margaret is a member of the National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta, and is a recipient of the 2025 HOBY Youth Leadership Award. She is enrolled in Honors, Advanced Placement, and Dual Enrollment coursework and has demonstrated leadership as a Student Government Association Representative and as an officer in Key Club and Create for Kids. Active in both service and school life, Margaret was a 2025 Dogwood Trail Court member serving as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Eastern Shore and participates in Spanish Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Varsity Cheerleading, and Varsity Track & Field.
Cody Gardner
Baldwin County Virtual School
Cody Gardner is the son of Angela and Darrin Gardner of Perdido, Alabama. He currently attends Baldwin County Virtual School and is on track to graduate in May 2027. A dedicated student, Cody maintains an A honor roll status and is a member of the National Honor Society and his school’s Beta Club. In addition to his academic achievements, he is an accomplished athlete through the Alabama High School Rodeo Association, competing in steer wrestling, tiedown, and team roping, and has qualified for the Alabama High School Rodeo National Finals, earned Champion Tie-Down Roper honors, and competed at the National Junior High Finals Rodeo and the World Champion Rodeo Alliance Division Youth. Cody has also been selected for the prestigious Priefert Junior Elite Team and has played for Baldwin County High School Baseball from his freshman through sophomore years, demonstrating dedication both in the classroom and through his extracurricular pursuits.