Day 4 - Youth Day, the White House, Mount Vernon and more memorials

Another day in the books. Started the day off with 1500 other kids from several other states. Listened to some awesome speakers. Then it was off to the White House, Air Force Memorial, Mount Vernon and the Pentagon City Mall for dinner. After that we had an evening tour around the Lincoln, Korean and Vietnam memorials.
Youth Day
Our YLC Delegate Lindsey Kolb lead us in an up-roaring MIZ-ZOU chant!
Paraolympian Mike Schilappe gave a truly inspiring speech.

Our awesome chaperones in front of the White House.




Air Force Memorial

Starting to get a little beat from all this touring.
Mount Vernon, George Washington's Home.











Lincoln Memorial
Lincoln Memorial



Korean War Memorial

Vietnam Memorial Wall

Tuesday!

I can't believe its already Tuesday. It's only 11 am and I have already had multiple breathtaking experiences at the Newseum. The 9-11 museum And Berlin wall were fantastic. Not including the newspaper archives and so much more. Next up fords theatre and hardrock followed by a good ole cards game:)
-Beth

Never Before!

Never before have I been to Washington DC, never before have I won an essay writing contest that would be so rewarding, never before have I met so many great people, never before have I made 96 friends in the time period of like 12 hours, never before have i wrote a blog, never before have i got a number assigned to me that became my known name before my actual name, and for the last one never before have I wanted to stay in our Nations great Capital for more than a week and not wanna go home! (sorry momma) Every second I have been here I have been absolutely amazed at the beauty and awesomeness of the city! So Thank You Barton County Electric Coop for this opportunity!

- Dylan Massa
Lamar, Mo.

If You Can't Stand Up, Stand Out

Today has been simply amazing, just as everyday so far has been. This morning I was embraced by complete exhaustion until Mike Schilappe began his motivational speech about how to improve our everyday lives. Did you know that most people have 11 negative thoughts per every positive thought? Doesn't that sound horrible? Most people don't realize what they have until it's gone. Mike was paralyzed due to a gun shot from a friend, yet he has won 2 gold medals and 2 bronze medals for his paralympic basketball teams. He has lived a full and completely awesome life despite his setback. He showed us that we shouldn't just sit around and be sympathetic about our own problems, but to embrace them and handle them. It was definitely awe inspiring. We went to Mount Vernon today and many of the rooms of the home surprised me. Their dining room was lime green. It was horrid looking to me, but at the time it was in style, especially in Europe. We went to the Pentagon City Mall after that, which btw is WAY bigger than any of the malls that I have been to in Missouri. (Not that that's a big number.) My favorite part of today was seeing the Korean, Vietnam, and Lincoln memorials. It was awesome to know that I was sitting on the site that's on all the 5 dollar bills :). I loved sitting and watching all the people and different cultures around us move about and admire the memorials as well. I was a bit bummed that the reflecting pool for the Washington Monument was drained for repairs. I wanted to be where Jenny was when she called out to Forrest. :( I can't wait for another great day in DC! Be sure to look for us at the Cardinals game tomorrow night on Fox Sports Midwest!

D.C. enough said :)

So what began as an assignment has turned into the highlight of my summer. My roommates (new friends) are fantastic and the memories we are making together will last a lifetime. This trip has allowed me to experience so many things I wouldn't have been able to do if I hadn't come here. Things such as pose in front of the white house, chill at George Washingtons house, or even fly on my first plane. I am so thankful my wonderful co-op, 3rivers, has given me this opportunity.
Oh yeah, love you mom and dad ;)

-Bethany Breeden

D.C. enough said.

We had such a great day today! We started the morning with all of the other states in ONE room! Thats over 1500 delegates. Needless to say there was the wave, fist pumping, and a conga line. We listened to a fantastic motivational speaker then had lunch at the Reagan International Trade Center. George Washington's home and tomb were next on the itinerary; we even got to touch the same banister he did so many years ago. Dinner and shopping was a lot of downtime for me, but other girls seemed to be in overdrive trying to shop as much as possible. One girl had to sprint to the bus to be on time, that's how dedicated she was to her shopping time. We ended the day with plenty of time to walk around and explore the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Walll, and Korean Memorial. It was a fabulous day for the 2011 Youth Tour! :)

Alana Simpson

The Trip of a Lifetime

This trip has been full of firsts for me, I have never been on my own before not knowing anybody and it's has been the first time I have ever been on a plane. I have made great friends already thanks to Bethany and Alison! I've seen so much today we saw the White House, mount Vernon which were both amazing!!!!! I never thought I would be able to see all of this it has lived up to saying it's the trip of a lifetime and it's not even over yet!!

-Lillie Buckman

Colossal, aesthetic, authentic... The Ari Force Memorial is awesome!

-will smith

Colossal, aesthetic, authentic... The Ari Force Memorial is awesome

Odd bus repping again! For the parents who are reading that means representing just an FYI(: SO were having a blast! Friendships are being made and growing stronger as we speak. so far on this fabulous Monday we've heard Mike Schilappe speak! As you sat and listened you began to realize that goose bumps were rising on your arms! We took a little pit stop at the white house and rocked it out like Missouri is expected to do! As I sit here typing we are watching a movie headed towards Mount Vernon! The excitement can barely be tamed! This truly is the time of our lives!

-Jazmin Gac

Recap of Day 3 - Arlington, Smithsonian and We're on A Boat!

Started the morning off at Arlington National Cemetery. Very moving. Got to see JFK's grave site, the amazing Changing of the Guard Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and other famous politicians and military officials. Then it was on to the Smithsonian complex to tour the Museum of Natural History, Holocaust Museum, Museum of American History, the famous Red Castle and Air and Space. After returning back to the hotel and having some dinner...it was taco night!!...we went out for a boat rid on the Potomac River. Lucked out and no rain came and saw an amazing sunset. All had a great time dancing, exchanging pins and meeting people from other states. Time went by too quick and before we knew it, bed time had come.
Arlington National Cemetery.
General Robert E. Lee's Mansion
Riding the tour bus to the top of Arlington.
Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
The Smithsonian Red Castle.
American History Museum
American History Museum.
Snapping pics of the Smithsonian Red Castle.
Museum of Natural History
The Ruby Red Slippers from Dorothy at the American History Museum.
Ewww a Madagascar hissing cockroach at the Museum of Natural History
See the resemblance?
Our boat!


Great sunset!

Dancing the night away!

Recap of Day 3 - Arlington, Smithsonian and We're on A Boat!

Started the morning off at Arlington National Cemetery. Very moving. Got to see JFK's grave site, the amazing Changing of the Guard Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and other famous politicians and military officials. Then it was on to the Smithsonian complex to tour the Museum of Natural History, Holocaust Museum, Museum of American History, the famous Red Castle and Air and Space. After returning back to the hotel and having some dinner...it was taco night!!...we went out for a boat rid on the Potomac River. Lucked out and no rain came and saw an amazing sunset. All had a great time dancing, exchanging pins and meeting people from other states. Time went by too quick and before we knew it, bed time had come.

Day 3!

We began our day in Arlington National Cemetery. It was literally breath taking. It was very hard to hold back the tears to see all the people who have given their lives for our freedom. The Smithsonian was pretty great too. My little group visited nearly every museum. I saw Dorothy's slippers! The dance tonight was probably my favorite though. Kentucky, Texas, Indiana, Missouri, and possibly more that I cannot remember at the moment were all on the same boat together! The dancing was great and the cruise was smooth and beautiful. I'm already pumped for the next dance on Wednesday night with all the states! Tomorrow we have Youth Day here at the Hyatt. It's time for room check so I'll have to go for now. I'll probably post more tomorrow!

-Kathleen Hinkle

Chilling in front of the archives with some really awesome new friends,no doubt that DC is amazingly awesome... Bet you wish you were here!

-Melynn