Meagan Ruff, daughter of Carl and Lori Ruff, Dowagiac, returned from a week-long tour of Washington, D.C., as part of the Michigan delegation to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour.

Ruff represented and was sponsored by Midwest Energy Cooperative. The Ross Beatty High School senior was selected after her participation in the 2012 Michigan Youth Leadership Summit, sponsored by Michigan’s electric cooperatives, in April.

The Youth Tour brought together about 1,400 students representing electric cooperatives from all over the United States. While in the nation’s capitol, students met with legislators and experienced first-hand many of the historical and cultural sites of Washington, D.C.

“I consider myself very inspired and lucky to have been able to be a part of the 2012 Youth Tour,” Ruff said. “This country’s biggest events happened right here in Washington, D.C., and I was given the privilege of walking down the same halls as some of the world’s greatest people.”

Ruff said her favorite memories involved seeing the history and detail of the buildings and memorials.

“The history and detail behind the buildings and memorials was impeccable,” Ruff said.