Seventeen Missouri youths traveled to Washington, D.C., for the 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus event.
Members of the 2022 delegation:
Alexandria Creason -- Adair County
William Hickman and Emmalyn Schnieders -- Clay County
Mia Gebhart -- Crawford County
Owen Neely -- Dade County
Ashley Suter and Aubrey Suter -- Greene County
Carissa Caple, Bailey Carter, Abby Jones and Emily Taylor -- Henry County
Rachel Johnson -- Jackson County
Ryan Munsterman -- Johnson County
Maddy McDowell and Alexandria Erdman -- Lafayette County
Katherina Mehling -- Marion County
Nolan Olinger -- Ray County
Highlights of the trip included Fourth of July fireworks on the National Mall and visits to the Smithsonian Institution, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, World War I Memorial, the White House, Capitol Hill, Arlington National Cemetery, National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, Air Force Memorial, Mount Vernon, Washington Monument and the National Archives.
While in D.C. the group met Missouri 4-H alumni Blake Wright and Madelyn Derks, who both now work for Rep. Vicky Hartzler of Missouri's 4th District. Youths also met Rep. Sam Graves of Missouri's 6th District. On the return trip, they toured Monticello and Colonial Williamsburg.
Because of their experiences on this trip, youths reported they better understand that history is more than just dates and places, are better at communicating with public officials, are better at communicating with those with different beliefs and are seeking to learn more about civic engagement, said University of Missouri Extension 4-H state educator Maria Calvert.
Major support for 4-H Civic Engagement programs is provided by the Missouri 4-H Foundation in partnership with the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives; Aaron and Erica Baker; Mary Davis; the Hertzog Family; the Martz Family; MFA Foundation; Miller Family Foundation; Missouri Pork Association; Marla J. Tobin, M.D.; and the Turner Family.
Categories: Missouri, Education