During the week of July 3-9, I was able to be a part of not just a citizenship conference, but an experience of a lifetime that happens rarely for a teenager. I learned to communicate with fellow 4-H members from not just Ohio, but across the United States, about topics that may not affect our community but would devastate families of communities. Also we talked about how to become a citizen who would help create legislation for their town or even state. Our 4-H program assistants were able to set up meetings with our State Representatives to talk to them about issues such as unemployment, drug rates, and also talk to them and create a solution to these major problems. After leaving D.C we made sure to keep in contact moving forward to make sure the plan is still in review. Getting to talk to our congressman was a great experience. Learning how crucial it is to communicate with citizens of the community to solve issues that occur. It may be long and hard but at the end of the day it is for the people, wanting it to be the best it can be so it can be done right the first time.

Getting to see memorial sites with new friends was something you cannot put a price on. After a long day, they were always the best at making you smile no matter how bad it may have been. Creating bonds that will last a lifetime, not to mention keeping in contact with them every day since. Nothing is worth more than going to this conference not knowing anybody to leaving best friends with somebody that lives states away. Knowing that you did your best to represent your community and state was a very honorable thing for a teenager to do.

Most of all I want to thank the 4-H organization for letting me be able to go on this trip. It was one of the best things that ever happened to me! I would recommend for people to join this great organization and be able to experience what I did and find passions that they don’t know.