Youth Tour Delegate Quotes
What is your overall opinion of the Youth Tour?
Austin Gibbs: I thought the Youth Tour was very well organized, and well run. This made the events, places, and people we got to see and meet that much better. It truly was an amazing experience!
Katie Robertson: I thought the Youth Tour was absolutely wonderful. Overall, it was a great experience for me; I didn't cry at the end for nothing :) The contest part, I felt, made this trip even better because you had to work for it and make it well earned. I made a lot of friends that I am still keeping in touch with. This trip was DEFINITELY a trip of a lifetime!!!
Kelsey Boyd: I think it was the best trip I've ever been on.
Tom Dixon: I thought it was awesome! Thinking back there really wasn't a bad moment. Everything that we did was fun, action-packed and kept us busy. It was definitely one of, if not the, best trips I have ever taken.
Katy Nickols: The Youth Tour was the trip of a lifetime! From visiting all of the magnificent monuments, to meeting kids from all across the country, my trip to Washington, D.C. is certainly one I will never forget.
Caroline Noe: Youth Tour was AWESOME!!!!
Did you enjoy your visit and tour of the Missouri State Capitol Building?
Austin Gibbs: I did! I have never gotten to tour the Missouri State Capitol Building. Being on top of it, was probably my favorite part.
Katie Robertson: The tour of the Missouri State Capitol Building was a nice way to start off the trip. I would keep doing that if I were you!
How was your visit to Capitol Hill, and talking with the U.S. Senators and Congressman?
Kelsey Boyd: I was disappointed because I did not get to meet my representative, but we did get to talk with him for about 15 minutes on a conference call. He really took the time to answer our questions and explain his role in Washington, D.C. I loved touring the U.S. Capitol. It was beautiful!
Tom Dixon: It was really interesting to see and hear their view points on things. They were very busy so we really didn't get to talk to them much but I thought it was cool how they took time out of their busy D.C. schedule to meet us. Plus I got a really cool picture with Kit Bond. I'm hanging that up!
Katy Nickols: Visiting the U.S. Senators and Congressman on Capitol Hill was definitely a memorable experience. Unfortunately, Congressman Kenny Hulshof was not in Washington, D.C. during our trip because he was campaigning in Missouri. However, we were still privileged enough to visit his office and speak with him via conference call. It was interesting being able to discuss issues that are important to our youth and rural communities with an elected official.
Caroline Noe: It was really cool to talk with Kenny Hulshof via conference call. It's an enlightening opportunity to meet with government officials I hear about all the time who make important decisions that affect everyone.
Which museum in Washington, D.C. did you enjoy the most?
Austin Gibbs: The National Archives! It's amazing to think... That these documents are more protected than any one person or thing in the world.
Katie Robertson: My favorite museum was the Newseum. I wish we would have spent more time there; it was the YT first time going there so I understand that they didn't know what to expect but definitely spend more time there! There is so much stuff to do there; the 9-11 area there was my favorite because I could really understand it better now rather than when I was 10.
Kelsey Boyd: My favorite museum would have to be the National Archives Museum. It was so amazing to see the documents that helped to form our country.
Tom Dixon: Well we only got to go to three; the National Archives, Modern Art, and Air and Space. The National Archives was my favorite out of the three.
Katy Nickols: My favorite museum was the National Archives Museum. I was actually able to see some of our nation's most famous documents like the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the U.S. Constitution up close and personal.
Caroline Noe: The National Archives because I got to see John Hancock's signature with my own eyes.
What was your favorite monument in Washington, D.C.?
Austin Gibbs: Arlington National Cemetery. Changing of the guard, and taps. It was a different experience for me than most, I think, because I play taps on my trumpet for Veteran's and Memorial Day. Being in that atmosphere, and seeing all of the graves of the men and women that have fought for us... It will bring a whole new meaning to me, when I get the opportunity to play taps again.
Katie Robertson: My favorite monument was either the WWII or the Washington Monument. The WWII was very pretty; I spent a lot of time sitting around the fountain with my friends. The Washington Monument was really tall and neat to go up inside of.
Kelsey Boyd: It's too hard for me to pick just one. They are all so beautiful! My jaw was literally on the ground whenever I saw a new monument. I do wish we could've seen the Washington Monument up close.
Tom Dixon: This is the hardest question. I think the two things that I enjoyed the most were Arlington Cemetery, and Mount Vernon. They were really interesting. But as far as monuments go, the WW2 monument was my favorite.
Katy Nickols: Although every monument in D.C. was truly amazing, my favorite was the Lincoln Memorial. I will never forget standing before the breathtaking monument at night and staring up into the eyes of one of our nation's greatest presidents. It was absolutely surreal when I stood in the same place that Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous "I have a dream" speech, looking out from the Lincoln Memorial towards the beautiful reflecting pool and Washington Monument.
Caroline Noe: I liked the National Cathedral and the WW2 monument. The National Cathedral is BEAUTIFUL. The WW2 monument is cool and unique because it gives special emphasis to each of the states.
Did you make any new friends?
Austin Gibbs: Yes!
Katie Robertson: I made so many new friends!!! My cell phone is constantly going off with texts from them. I miss them all so much but we are planning a get together soon! Sadly, I like my YT friends better than the friends I'm stuck with=2 0here! There were a lot of awesome people on the trip, I didn't get to spend as much time with everyone as I would have liked but the ones I did spend time with will be friends for a very long time!
Kelsey Boyd: I made a lot of new friends and the great thing is with all of the technology we have today I get to keep in touch with all of them.
Tom Dixon: Yes! Tons of new friends. My only problem is that they all live 2 hours away and don't go to Winfield School.
Katy Nickols: Making new friends was one of the best parts of the trip. I met so many new people and shared some great memories. Thanks to the Youth Tour trip, I have made friendships that I'm sure to treasure for years to come.
Caroline Noe: Yes. It got me out of my shell, and I was able to make friends very quickly, and I had a great time with them.
Was the Youth Tour contest worth it?
Austin Gibbs: Yes! Most definitely!
Katie Robertson: The contest was well worth it! Not only did it make me feel accomplished but the reward was amazing!
Kelsey Boyd: Struggling over an essay for a couple of hours was definitely well worth it.
Tom Dixon: Yes most definitely. I wrote a paper for 4 hours, and in return got an all-expense paid trip to the Nation's Capital. Yeah, it was worth it.
Katy Nickols: YES! The Youth Tour was most definitely a worthwhile experience. It was fascinating to see all of the famous places in the pages of my history book come to life!
Caroline Noe: Definitely. Thank you for making it available to me.
Would you recommend the Youth Tour contest to your junior classmates?
Austin Gibbs: Yes! I’m going to encourage everyone I know to enter the contest!
Katie Robertson: I would absolutely recommend it! I’m even be willing to help them write essays and rehearse for the big night. This trip was so wonderful I would love to see friends enjoy it like I did. Next year, I would love helping others achieve this.
Kelsey Boyd: Yes. Trust me, this trip will change your life!
Tom Dixon: I already have. I want other people to experience this awesome trip. I wish I could be a junior again... Youth Tour Rules!
Katy Nickols: I would definitely recommend the Youth Tour contest to my junior classmates. I want others to have the chance to participate in this rewarding program.
Caroline Noe: YES!!!
Additional Youth Tour Delegate Quotes
“It's been an amazing experience,” he said of the program. “I think it's meant more to me and helped me more than anything else I've done in high school, even with the leadership positions I've held. This has gone far beyond that.
-- Heather Hite, Cuivre River Electric Cooperative Delegate 2006
“Meeting Senator Talent and Representative Hulshof is something that I will always remember. We got to ask them questions and talk about important issues in our communities we are concerned with."
-- Julie Speer, Cuivre River Electric Cooperative Delegate 2006
"This was the greatest trip I have ever been on. I have made so many wonderful friends from across the United States. I will never forget my experience at the U.S. Capitol, and meeting our U.S. Senators and Congressmen from Missouri."
-- Bobby Swain, Cuivre River Electric Cooperative Delegate 2006
