Bode Attends National Young Leaders Conference

by Linsey Bode

November 24, 2007

This is a summary of the week that Linsey Bode spent in Washington, DC at National Young Leaders Conference. It sounds like an exciting week and we are glad she shared this summary with us. -------Paula Jensen

November 13 – 18 I had the opportunity to join 350 high school students from across the nation in attending the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. The entire experience was amazing.

I arrived on Tuesday at Ronald Reagan International Airport, and from there I rode on a shuttle bus along with some of my fellow conference members (I’d become good friends with over the next 5 days) to the National 4-H Center, where I would be staying for the week. Upon checking in we were spilt into groups of around 20 students, with whom we would spend the vast majority of our time with and partake in our simulations of the 3 branches of the government.

Wednesday morning we completed our “If I Were President” simulations, where we had to deal with and solve a foreign policy crisis. After which we prepared for our judicial simulation. That afternoon, we ate lunch at Dupont Circle, and visited the Korean, Lincoln, and Vietnam memorials. Then in the evening I attended the Faces of Homelessness leadership workshop, where I listened to two previously homeless people account their journey from having a home and family to becoming homeless, and to where they are now.

Thursday morning we boarded the buses and headed to Capitol Hill, where we got to sit in the gallery of the House of Representatives and watch them go over the morning’s business. After which we separated to tour Capitol Hill and meet with our state’s senators and representatives. Some students were not able to meet with all three however I was fortunate enough to get to do so. Ben Nelson was gracious enough to come out of a committee hearing just to visit with me, answer my questions and take a picture with me; he also brought along Ted Kennedy a senator from Massachusetts. I also met with Chuck Hagel and Adrian Smith, who both took a picture with me and sent a signed copy to me. That evening upon returning to the center we completed our “Testing the Constitution” simulation, were briefed on the Model Congress, and watched a performance of the theatre group “The Capitol Steps.”

We started Friday morning bright and early with a bus ride to the Marriot Metro Center Hotel where we had breakfast with the press. Chip Reid, with CBS News, A.B. Stoddard, Associate Editor of The Hill, Clarence Page, Columnist for the Chicago Tribune, and Nancy Ambrose, who previously worked for CNN and ABC news, served as mediator. They briefed us of their careers before the floor was opened to questions about current events from NYLC students. After breakfast we visited the FDR and Jefferson memorials. That afternoon we completed a Town Hall Discussion about current governmental issues affecting the nation. That evening we started our “Model Congress” simulations, where we testified for our groups/caucus’s amendment to a bill, and then concluded with lobbying for our amendment.

Saturday morning, we had a quick White House photo opportunity, and then completed the rest of our “Model Congress” simulation, where we actually simulated the House of Representatives, and voted on specific amendments to the bill. (My caucus’s passed… by a slim two votes.) We concluded the evening with a farewell dinner dance.

Sunday was our last day, where we received our completion certificates, and attended a commencement ceremony.

I found it so amazing how you can get to know so many kids in such a little time, and it was hard for me to say goodbye to people that you knew you never see again. I was able to makes friends with kids all across the nation (I was the only one from Nebraska) and even several who lived over seas on a military base. The experience was something I will never forget, I was able to learn so much about our government. I’d like to thank Mrs. Heithoff for nominating me for a once in a life time experience.