As Emily Dutton and Aanyah Lovett prepare to enter their senior year at Central High School, they are spending the remainder of the summer looking back at their time on the Washington Youth Tour (WYT) with Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative (EMC). The students were among more than 100 delegates from the state of Georgia who traveled to Washington, D.C., for the weeklong, leadership experience in June.
Every year since the late 1950s, talented and ambitious students from across the country have gathered in D.C. to gain a greater understanding of the country’s rich and storied heritage while also growing leadership skills and learning about civic engagement. When combined, the trip provides unique lessons and opportunities that cannot be given in the classroom.
According to Ryan Sammon, Community Relations Specialist and WYT coordinator for Carroll EMC, a carefully chaperoned tour of the nation’s capital and its treasured monuments and memorials not only provides students with meaningful history lessons but the opportunity to experience it through interactive exhibits and firsthand accounts.
“History comes to life in D.C.,” said Sammon who served as a chaperone on this year’s tour. “It can be surreal to those seeing it for the first time because they have only read about it in books or seen it on television. The best part is they get to enjoy it with others their age. It gives them a broader perspective of life at large.”
Throughout the week, stops were made at Mount Vernon, Arlington Cemetery, U.S. Capitol, National Archives, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Museums and Kennedy Center. Students also toured the revered Jefferson, Lincoln, FDR, MLK, WWII, Vietnam and Korean War memorials. In addition, the group had dinner aboard the Cherry Blossom Riverboat which included sites of historic D.C. and ended with a dance.
“I’d have to say my favorite experience during the WYT was seeing the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery,” said Lovett, a delegate of Carroll EMC. “It’s a very solemn and moving ceremony. There were a lot of emotions to be felt.”
In addition to touring historic sites, students gained perspective on some of today’s important issues and their role as involved citizens. Everyone had the opportunity to attend a congressional town hall meeting and visit with Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff.
Applications for the WYT open annually in November for high school students. Those who are interested in applying for next year’s trip can view qualifications online at carrollemc.com/wyt.
Carroll EMC is a Member-owned cooperative providing electricity to approximately 54,000 homes and businesses. The co-op serves Members in Carroll, Haralson, Heard, Paulding, Polk, Floyd and Troup counties. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. For more information visit the cooperative’s website at carrollemc.com or follow Carroll EMC on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn. Carroll EMC: Community Built. Community Builder.
