WASHINGTON — A group of Mingo youth gathered experiences this year to better prepare them for a future role in leadership.

Eight Kermit Youth in Action 4-H members and four chaperones traveled to Washington D.C. this month to meet Congressman Nick Rahall, Senator Jay Rockefeller, and Senator Robert Byrd. The students experienced leadership at the federal level.by seeing first hand the role their local legislators play in Washington. The legislators presented the youth with certificates of appreciation for their role in representing and working for West Virginians.

Over the past year, the Kermit Youth in Action 4-H program has focused on leadership at the local, state, and national levels. The members attended a Kermit City Council meeting. They also travelled to Charleston to view state government in action at Children’s Day at the Legislature. Mickey Hodge, Skylar Varney, Adam Hannah, and Casandra Muncy acted as pages in the House of Representatives that day. The latest trip to Washington April 4 through April 8, not only allowed them a glimpse at federal politics, but enabled them to explore the nation’s Capitol as well.

This leadership program was funded by a grant from the West Virginia Development Office and the Appalachian Regional Commission to help youth gain leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills that will empower them to see themselves as taking a leadership role in their democracy.