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2024 Youth Tour Award Winners (pictured left to right) Keyona Klingenberg, Ava Reemtsma, Holland Vogel, Gretchen Lefdal and Jozie Cuperus. -
Nobles Cooperative Electric interview committee in deliberation (left to right) Tracey Haberman (Member Services Manager), Adam Tromblay (CEO/ General Manager) and Amy Rucker (Executive Assistant).
Nobles Cooperative Electric is thrilled to announce the winners of its prestigious annual Youth Tour, a program designed to cultivate the next generation of rural leaders. This year, the cooperative recognized five exceptional local students for their impressive applications and interviews, showcasing the remarkable talent within the community.
The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, sponsored by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and local cooperatives like Nobles Cooperative Electric, provides a transformative, all-expenses- paid week in Washington, D.C. High school students gain unparalleled access to the nation’s capital, engaging with elected officials, exploring historical landmarks and connecting with peers nationwide. This immersive experience highlights the importance of community involvement and cooperative values, demonstrating firsthand how electric coop-eratives empower communities and contribute to national wellbeing. The tour emphasizes leadership development, civic engagement and understanding the unique principles of electric cooperatives.
Nobles Cooperative Electric received many applications for this competitive program, filled with impressive candidates. From this strong pool, the top five applications were selected for in-person interviews, making the final decision exceptionally challenging for the selection committee. “We were truly impressed by the talent and dedication of each candidate,” stated Tracey Haberman, Member Services Manager for Nobles Cooperative Electric. “While we don’t typically award this many placements, the committee felt compelled to recognize the extraordinary merit of all five finalists who went through the final interview process.”
The 2024 award recipients are:
• First Place: Ava Reemtsma, daughter of Mike and Joni, from Murray County Central – Awarded a trip to Washington, D.C. from June 16-21, joining approximately 1,500 teenagers nationwide for the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.
• Second Place: Gretchen Lefdal, daughter of Dustin and Catherine, from Ellsworth High School – Awarded a $500 scholarship, and will serve as the first alternate for the D.C. trip.
• Third Place: Keyona Klingenberg, daughter of Heidi Klingenberg, from Adrian High School – Awarded a $150 scholarship.
•Fourth Place: Holland Vogel, daughter of Mark and Joanna, from Murray County Central – Awarded a $100 gift certificate.
• Fifth Place: Jozie Cuperus, daughter of Jake and Jill, from Adrian High School – Awarded a gift certificate.
“Many of our applicants are still early in their academic journeys, and we strongly encourage them to reapply next year for the top spot,” added Tracey. “We are committed to nurturing the development of our future leaders throughout our communities.”
Nobles Cooperative Electric warmly congratulated the winners and thanked all students who applied, giving us a strong number of candidates to consider. We encourage all eligible students to look forward to the next award cycle, with applications due in February 2026. All high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors attending school in Nobles Cooperative Electric’s service area can apply.
About Nobles Cooperative Electric: Nobles Cooperative Electric is a member-owned electric cooperative dedicated to serving Nobles and Murray Counties in Southwest Minnesota. Committed to providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity, Nobles Cooperative Electric is deeply invested in its members and the future of its community.
For more information about the Youth Tour Program go to: nobles.coop/youth-tour
