HERMISTON, Ore.-Two local students will represent the Umatilla Electric Cooperative (UEC) at the Washington, D.C. Youth Tour this summer.
UEC announced on March 19, that Peightin Zumwalt of Hermiston and Samantha Yates of Irrigon will represent the cooperative at the annual youth tour at the nation’s capital.
“At UEC, we are proud to offer this transformative opportunity to the next generation in our communities,” said Robert Echenrode, President and CEO of UEC. “We honor all applicants who applied and thank each of them for standing out as exceptional young adults making a difference in our region.”
Peightin Zumwalt, Hermiston
According to UEC, Zumwalt’s selection reflects her “sustained commitment to service, leadership, and academic excellence.”
Zumwalt carries a 3.89 GPA, has been named to the honor role and recognized as Student of the Month, and supports students who need additional guidance or care by serving as a teacher’s assistant in a special needs classroom.
“Giving back and sharing time with others that have disabilities is an important part of my life,” said Zumwalt.
Zumwalt’s efforts on behalf of her school and community include participating in food, toy and coat drives, pie fundraisers, and Future Farmers of America (FFA) plant sales.
Coming from a first responder family, Zumwalt has also volunteered with the Hermiston Police Department’s Christmas Food and Toy Drive.
She also competes in volleyball and basketball and participates in FFA, where she placed second in the State Floriculture Competition and was recognized at the District-level in the Milk Quality Department, according to a UEC press release on the students.
After graduation, Zumwalt plans to pursue a career as a detective in a Special Victims Unit, as well as earn a secondary degree in nursing.
Samantha Yates, Irrigon
Yates is involved in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Key Club, the National Honor Society and has helped run initiatives benefitting her school and community, including the school blood drive and volunteering at a children’s science fair.
According to UEC, Yates “exemplifies academic excellence, leadership and service.”
A member of Irrigon’s Varsity Tennis team, Yates qualified for state her freshman and sophomore seasons, and also competes on the Washington Angels 16U travel softball team.
As a part of the Washington Angels program, Yates has volunteered at the Cable Bridge Run, helps with Toys for Tots, supported the Washington Angels Golf Tournament, and helped with service projects to benefit children in Colorado.
Through her service as a SPURS mentor at A.C. Houghton Elementary School, Yates also supports younger students, both academically and personally.
Yates carries a 4.0 GPA and has been honored as Outstanding Underclassmen in Social Sciences, Outstanding Underclassmen in Algebra I, earned a third place in the Math Relay at the Eastern Oregon High School Math Competition, according to UEC.
After high school Yates plans to pursue a degree in either education or interior design and hopes to play softball at the collegiate level.
Washington, D.C. Youth Tour
UEC has sponsored juniors from local high schools on the annual educational trip to Washington, D.C. for over 20 years as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour, intended to cultivate leadership, civic engagement and an understanding of public policy among students connected to electric cooperative communities.
Zumwalt and Yates will join over 1,500 students from across the country in Washington, D.C., and will meet with Oregon’s congressional delegation, have the opportunity to visit monuments and landmarks, as well as take part in leadership development activities during the weeklong tour.
The 2026 Washington, D.C. Youth Tour is June 14-20.
