Entries are now being accepted for the 50th Annual Youth Tour contest, which will culminate with six finalists traveling to Washington, D.C., this summer.The contest is open only to high school juniors who live and attend school in Cuivre River Electric’s general service area, or who have Cuivre River electric service in their homes.The 2018 essay theme is “What Do Cooperatives Mean to My Community?” Entry forms are available at local high schools or www.cuivre.com.The deadline to enter is Friday, March 9.Entries remain anonymous during preliminary judging by Cuivre River staff. The 12 top-scoring essays are selected as finalists and will attend the final competition scheduled for Wednesday, April 11. Finalists will take a cooperative knowledge quiz and make an oral presentation of their essay.The top six finalists will be selected as Youth Tour delegates. The other six finalists will receive $500 scholarships.This year’s National Youth Tour will take place June 8-15. The seven-day youth tour provides an action-filled week for high school students, offering them opportunities to learn firsthand what it is like to be involved in politics, leadership positions, community service and today’s pressing issues.Missouri’s youth tour delegates will visit with representatives from their congressional districts and tour famous monuments, the Smithsonian Institution’s museums and Arlington National Cemetery.Cuivre River Electric fully funds the participation of its delegates. There is no cost to students or families.Teachers who support the Youth Tour program and submit at least 10 student entries receive a $50 classroom grant from Cuivre River Electric Cooperative.Immediate family members of Cuivre River employees and directors are not eligible to be a Cuivre River delegate.Submit an entry form and a 500- to 1,000-word essay on the topic, “What Do Cooperatives Mean to My Community?”Students with the 12 top-scoring essays become finalists. The final challenge includes a cooperative knowledge quiz and an oral presentation before judges, families and peers at Cuivre River Electric Cooperative.For more information or to inquire about a classroom program, contact Schmidt at 636-695-4837 or email tschmidt@cuivre.com.Since 1964, Cuivre River has sponsored over 200 youth tour delegates for visits to Washington, D.C. More than 53,000 high school students sponsored by the nation’s electric cooperatives have participated in the youth tour since the educational leadership program began.Cuivre River Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Troy with a branch facility in Lake Saint Louis, is the largest member-owned electric distribution cooperative in Missouri. It provides service to more than 63,500 residential, business, commercial, industrial and agricultural members in Lincoln, Pike, St. Charles and Warren counties. For more information, visit www.cuivre.com or call 800-392-3709.Cuivre River Electric