Local students attend 4-H leadership program

By Jennifer Ruth
Staff Writer
    MONTICELLO — Members of the 4-H delegation for Maine to the Citizenship Washington Focus Conference met with U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe on July 9 in Washington. Two southern Aroostook County high school students attended the 4-H leadership program as first-time representatives.
    “The trip was a great experience for me,” explained Sarah Verville of Monticello. “I got to meet our state senators and representatives. Sen. Snowe was an inspiration to me.”
    Verville said the senator inspired her so much that she said she might want to run for senator some day, or even maybe president. She said she wanted to get in about 20 years with the Coast Guard first.
    Her visit did make an impact as far as learning how the country’s political system worked. Being in the nation’s capital also gave Verville a rare glimpse at some of the most talked-about election candidates this year.
    “What also was a big inspiration was taking a tour of the Capitol and sitting and watching a vote take place,” she explained. “I got to see Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton and Barrack Obama. The feeling and atmosphere of the room was exciting and calming.”
    It was a life-changing experience for a young woman from Aroostook County. It was also an opportunity for Verville to engage her country’s democratic process.
    “I could picture myself one day sitting on the chair and making a vote to a law as well,” she explained. “The trip really made me think of all the different opportunities the government has to do and I would recommend this trip to anyone.
    “I met new people, saw new things, and had my eyes open to new job opportunities,” she said.
    Snowe met with several 4-H group members from all over the state of Maine. Brianna Hanington of Wytopitock also represented Aroostook County.