What is a Yute? Excuse me, Youths!
By Vince Martinez, NMRECA CEO
I am pleased to report that the 2025 Youth Tour was a great success. Our participants had a wonderful time, were very well-behaved, and came home tired but happy.
On Youth Tour, students from around the state gather in Santa Fe before heading to Washington, D.C., for a week where they meet our congressional representatives, witness democracy in action and learn about our country’s history.
After meeting this year’s participants on the first day in Santa Fe, I wasn’t surprised to hear they were well-behaved and had a great time in Washington, D.C.
I found the youth to be polite, engaged and well-mannered. These kids were a shining example that common courtesy and decency are still alive and well in our society, despite what we sometimes see from others.
The qualities I observed in the young people from this year’s Youth Tour and past tours, coupled with the feedback I received from chaperones, give me great confidence in the future of our cooperatives and our state. As the leadership of our cooperatives—including myself—ages, it is imperative that Youth Tour alumni consider getting more involved in their communities and cooperatives.
Our member cooperatives and association staff are proud of the Youth Tour program and encourage as many of our youth as possible to participate in future tours of the nation’s capital.
Read about the fun and interesting things the 40 participants experienced during their week in our nation’s capital on Page 14.