Martin was among three students sponsored by Kenergy for the weeklong experience coordinated by Kentucky Electric Cooperatives and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. She was joined by Heath Ford of Henderson County High School and Carson Whitsell of Webster County High School.
The students visited Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and George Washington’s Mount Vernon before touring the U.S. Capitol, museums and memorials in Washington. They also heard from U.S. Sen. Rand Paul and congressional staff members during a discussion about artificial intelligence, term limits and Federal Emergency Management Agency reform.
Martin said the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum was the most meaningful stop.
“You can talk about it over and over again in history classes all throughout years of school,” Martin said, “but looking at it through pictures and video, being able to actually walk through one of the cattle cars, it hits you different.”
The tour also included stops at the National Mall, Smithsonian museums, White House Visitor Center, World War I Memorial, National Air and Space Museum and Arlington National Cemetery. At Arlington, students watched the Changing of the Guard, and members of the Kentucky delegation placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Kenergy representatives Kristine and Jonathan Carrier served as chaperones.
