A delegation of Purdy High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members and their adviser, Ms. Amy Harkey, traveled to Washington D. C. in October to attend FCCLA’s Capitol Leadership Conference, where they were challenged to be “IncREDible” through advocacy training opportunities, Hill Day Role Play, meeting with Senators and Representatives, and reflecting on their individual Hill Visits.
Attendees from Purdy included Addyson Abramovitz, Jeffrey Drake, Quincy Hartwigsen, Anna Hoffman, Ryan Mitchell, Taryn Owrig and Libby Roden.
In their spare time the Purdy delegation toured the Nation’s Capitol, enjoying fascinating visits to Congress, including Senate Galley; the White House; the Supreme Court; the Washington, Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Roosevelt, Korean War, Martin Luther King Jr. and World War II Memorials; National Archives; Library of Congress; Arlington Cemetery; The Holocaust Museum; and Vietnam Wall.
Serving as the group’s official tour guide was Adviser Amy Harkey’s brother, Matthew C. Hutson, a former Chief of Staff on Capitol Hill and a Washington D.C. business owner.
“Washington DC was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Libby Roden, attendee and Purdy FCCLA Chapter vice president of membership. “My favorite thing was probably seeing the White House and all the monuments. Walking in D.C. was definitely awesome; just seeing all the history of America, it was pretty amazing. Being able to see everything in person and not just on TV was definitely an experience.
“I would like to say thank you to my advisor, Ms. Harkey, for taking us and letting us experience an incredible opportunity. I would also like to say thank you to Ms. Harkey’s brother and sister-in-law, Matt and Meagan Hutson, for taking their time and taking us all around D.C. Matt was full of information and answered any questions we had. It definitely was a learning experience that I am so glad I got to be a part of.”
“Our trip to Washington D.C. was a very surreal experience, and I’m extremely thankful for Ms. Harkey and her brother, Matt, for taking the time to show us around, and his wife, Megan, for inviting us into their home and making us dinner,” said Addyson Abramovitz, attendee and Purdy FCCLA Chapter vice president of public relations. “My favorite part about the trip was seeing all the monuments in person and not just in a book or on TV. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was something I’ve always wanted to see, and it was astonishing to watch the changing of the guard.
“The National Archives was amazing, and we got to see the Constitution up close. Another thing that I enjoyed was the FCCLA conference and getting to listen to people speak about their experiences in FCS. The trip was amazing, and I learned a lot about the history of our country and I’m very thankful I was able to go and experience it.”
Harkey added being able to take students to the Nation’s Capitol is truly one of her favorite trips.
“Seeing my students fly for the first time, learn to navigate the metro system and experience new things is why teachers teach,” she said. “I am proud of my students for advocating for Career and Technical Education (CTE) funding and learning the impact that advocating has. [U.S. Sen. Roy] Blunt’s office was an intricate part of our Capitol experience by scheduling a tour and providing us with coveted Senate Gallery passes. I am grateful to everyone who made our trip possible and to my students’ parents who entrusted me with their children.”
Upon returning to Purdy, Harkey and her students were asked to visit the third-grade class to share their experience with students who had just learned about Washington D.C.
“Seeing my students share their experiences with younger kids is what FCCLA is all about,” Harkey said. “After we shared, one third grader yelled ‘I cannot wait to be in high school.’ I am proud of my kids for stepping out of their comfort zones.”
