What a great time! This was my first Youth Tour and I can honestly say it could not have gone any better! 132 high school juniors from all over Alabama came to Montgomery to tour their state capital, meet legislators, hear speakers, and meet new people. Cea Cohen Elliot talking to the kids was the highlight for me as she is able to relate to both kids and adults with her amazing sense of "how you change the world". I have lived in Montgomery for 26 years and I'm embarrassed to say that I have never visited the State Capitol Building. I loved the acoustics underneath the double spiral staircases. You can whisper on one side and your partner can hear you loud and clear on the other side. Bob Riley's memorial to the Alabama fallen since 9/11 was also very touching.
On a lighter note, the cosmic bowling and pizza party let everyone loosen up and get to know each other better. Senator Scott Beason's spoke to the kids about how legislation is brought to the table and even discussed his thoughts on illegal immigration and how it effects Alabamians. Rep. James Fields also spoke about leadership and how elections work. It's hard to believe that there is legislation on pretty much everything we do. From our school lunches, to traffic problems, to what time we get to school, even how much we pay for our groceries. It was great getting to visit with the people who make these decisions for us at our legislators luncheon. Catfish Country did a great job preparing southern food for the Montgomery Youth Tour participants, co-op staff and board members, and our state legislators.
Let's see there was so much more. Justice Harold See gave us a chance to ask him questions at the Alabama Judicial Building. It was a very informative visit where one could easily observe his passion for the judicial system and his job.
I heard a student say the first night as she was walking into the Ballroom at the Embassy Suites, "man, I feel special!" Well these kids ARE special and I hope they enjoyed their trip to Montgomery and hope to see some of them in June as we embark upon a further journey to our nation's capital: Washintgon D.C.!
Stay tuned for information regarding the Washington Youth Tour which will be held June 14-19. It's going to be so much fun! Till next time.....
Mary Tyler Spivey
