The nation’s capital brightened in June with the arrival of a delegation of students representing electric co-ops across the state.
LaGrange County REMC sponsored Prairie Heights High School student Cassidy Gunthorp for the annual Indiana Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. The event provides young Hoosiers with the opportunity to tour the nation’s capital, learn about government, experience American history and gain a better understanding of their electric cooperative and government.
A group of 100 students representing Indiana electric cooperatives went on the trip, joining more than 1,800 students from across the nation who traveled to Washington, D.C., for the weeklong program.
Students who participated in the trip visited the Flight 93 Memorial, Gettysburg battlefield, Arlington National Cemetery, Smithsonian museums and National Mall memorials. They also took a night cruise on the Potomac River and much more.
The Indiana Youth Tour students also participated in a youth rally, during which they shared their thoughts and opinions on a variety of timely issues. The youth rally prepared the students for a day on Capitol Hill, where they had an opportunity to meet with Indiana’s congressional delegation.
My Youth Tour Experience by Cassidy Gunthorp
Cassidy Gunthorp
This June, I was lucky enough to go on a week-long trip to our nation’s capital as part of the Indiana Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.
I would like to thank LaGrange County REMC for sponsoring my trip and giving me this amazing opportunity to see so many important places, learn new things and meet people from around Indiana and the U.S. I would also encourage upcoming juniors to apply for this trip. It is a great experience.
Choosing a favorite day from the trip is a difficult task. We did so many things. We saw memorials and monuments in Washington, D.C.; visited Mount Vernon; toured Capitol Hill; took pictures in front of the White House; and visited the Holocaust Museum, the Newseum and the Smithsonian. The week was packed to the brim. Every moment, I got to see something new.
However, my favorite parts were Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Memorial and the Newseum. FDR’s memorial was so inspiring and moving. The quotes around the memorial were really what spoke to me. I can see why people said he was a very personable president.
My second favorite part was the Newseum. The museum is all about the First Amendment. There were galleries about reporters, famous pictures and newspapers from important events in history. I love photos and looking through old newspapers, so I personally loved this museum.
I truly loved the entire week. This was such a great way for me to see and explore our nation’s capital for the first time. I am so thankful for this opportunity and adventure.
