Arlington

Wow--I am amazed at all that we are going to see! Just Arlington National Cemetary was so remarkable! It is so moving to see the 320,000 some graves that show all those who've sacrificied for our country. It was also very neat to see the changing of the guards at the tomb of the unknown soldier. They were so precise in every step, turn, and salute!!

The people here are awesome and I've alreadsy met so many new friends! I can't wait to see what we will be doing next!!

We're in D.C./In the hotel!

From 2009 MO Youth Tour

It's been a long day, but a good one. No issues or hurdles as we made our way to the airport, caught our flight and landed in Baltimore. A short bus ride later and we were in D.C. We spent about an hour and a half at Washington, D.C.'s Union Station. Lots of options for dinner in the food court, and some interesting shops, too. Our bus drivers took us past some of the major sites in D.C. We'll try to get some of the delegates to post their impressions tomorrow -- hard to find time to blog, it seems.

Tomorrow is a big day. We'll see Arlington National Cemetery and spend some time at the Smithsonian museums. We've also go our boat cruise tomorrow. 

This is Emily Whitmarsh, and I am happy to say in about 10 minutes we will be boarding our plane to Washington D.C. I believe I can say for everyone here that we are extremely excited. I have never been to D.C. along with many of my new friends and I cannot wait to see the sites! Mom and dad if you are reading this love you, and wish you could enjoy it with me!!!

Ok...well it's been super fun so far and we aren't even in DC yet! i have made tons of new friends and have probably added at least 10 new numbers to my cell phone! When they say this is the trip of a lifetime and that you will make tons of new friends they are totally right! we are now at the airport and are all anxiously waiting the flight to dc! so got to go and you will probably hear from me again, except next time it will be in DC baby!!!! 

Youth Tour, Take One

So far, I have met well over half of the delegates here on the youth tour. They range from small towns like mine to tiny schools in rural areas, and I think I have made real connections. My roommates are awesome, and the atmosphere has been so alive and energetic. As we're about to get on the plane, there are groups of people who've known each other less than 24 hours playing cards like they've known each other all their lives. I can't wait to see how this trip and these friendships play out. 

Whoa! We're on the bus

From 2009 MO Youth Tour

Headed toward St. Louis now. We'll try to get some delegates posting when we get to the airport. In the meantime, enjoy the photos (assuming I can figure out how to load them).

Whoa! We're on the bus

Headed toward St. Louis now. We'll try to get some delegates posting when we get to the airport. In the meantime, enjoy the photos (assuming I can figure out how to load them).

Youth Tour begins Friday, June 12

Hey! That's today!

Look to this space in the coming days for photos and updates from the 2009 Missouri Youth Tour!

51 hours to go! Is it too early to get dressed for dinner?

Three days and counting!

Just three days until Friday and the Youth Tour banquet in Jeff City. Hope everyone has read the materials Mike sent out and has started thinking about packing.

We will post comments and photos on this blog as the trip gets underway. Make sure you give this link to your friends and family so they can follow along on the trip.

Look for fellow delegates on Facebook

Hey '09 Missouri delegates: Congratulations on winning a spot on the Youth Tour! We've set up a Facebook page — if you've got a Facebook account, search for "2009 Missouri Youth Tour" and join the group. Introduce yourself, tell us where you're from and what you're looking forward to seeing in D.C. The sooner you guys and gals get to know each other the better. Oh come on, don't be shy. You're going to be fast friends soon enough!

It's that time of year! Youth Tour is coming!

All across Missouri, high school juniors are practicing their speeches and boning up on the history of rural electrification in preparation for their local electric cooperative's Youth Tour contest. Some of you may have already been selected as delegates for this year's Youth Tour. 

Chances are, you have no idea what awaits you. Maybe an older brother or sister or an upperclassman has told you a little about the trip. But really, you can't imagine how cool this week will be.

You'll start the week a little shy and maybe just a bit afraid. You're going to be thrust in a room with about 80 other teenagers from all across the state and some adult is going to tell you to start making friends. "Yeah, right!" you say.  Trust me, in a week you won't want to say goodbye and you'll consider most of these other Youth Tour delegates to be lifelong friends. Some of them actually will be.

Yeah, you've seen pictures of the Vietnam Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and the U.S. Capitol. You think you know what they're all about. Think again. There is a feeling that comes over you when you're standing next to that black wall with all those names that you just can't describe. There's definitely a spirit there. 

You're going to do and see so many things in one week you won't believe it. Your dogs are going to bark and you won't sleep a wink the first couple of days. But, man, you're going to have fun. Even stupid stuff like counting off on the bus will make you smile when you think about it later.

Sure, sure. This is just somebody talking. You wait and see. 

If you've been selected as a delegate to the 2009 Missouri Youth Tour you're a very special young man or woman. You've earned a spot on this exclusive trip. Look forward to it. Make the most of it. Cherish it forever.

We'll see you in 71 days!

Pentagon has 5 sides

So, November 2nd almost time for elections. Its been many months since dc but i still think about it. I still think about the Pentagon and just all the people. This is probably my last blog however, because no one else continues to use this site. I was hoping we would all continue to check it. I do wish i could talk to everyone and see everyone again. Our senior years are already almost half way over. December will be halfway..... its crazy time is flying by!

Hey Missouri!!!!

Man now that school is back in full swing i cant help looking back to DC. We had it made going to all of those memorials museums and just all the fun we had. Now, colleges, scholarships, and homework are dominating all of our lives and many of us have jobs on top of that. I can't believe time has flown by so fast that its been 3 months since we stepped into the Truman Hotel. I truly and deeply miss everyone i met on the tour and i hope you all keep in touch. Anyway college applications and all of that is so crazy and overwhelming. I was thinking of applying to several colleges but i was wondering of the people who still check this blog where are you thinking of going to college? If anyone wants or needs to talk to me call or text me at 573-578-0568

Wow

Two months ago tonight we all arrived in Jefferson City nervous and anticipating the greatest trip of our lives. Now its back to school for another journey that will create who we are meant to be and prepare us for our future...... I just cant believe its been two months since i met all the amazing people i met..... i miss you all a lot i hope to keep in touch through the next nine months of school and i also hope to hang out with you all again.... to the sponsers and co-ops one last time i thank you all for the great honor and privledge you have us this summer to go to dc.