By Julie Tomascik
Editor
Finalists of Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) Free Enterprise Speech Contest recently traveled to Capitol Hill to meet with elected officials and see historical sites in Washington, D.C.
The expense-paid trip to Capitol Hill was part of the prize package the students received for being finalists in the state contest.
“It’s important for young students to understand constitutional government and the free enterprise system,” McKenna Bush, TFB youth outreach coordinator, said. “This trip to D.C. helps bring the contest full circle for the students and gives them a chance to meet congressional leaders.”
The students on the trip included Benjamin Flanagan of Runnels County, Amanda Hoffmann of Bexar County, William Jones of Rusk County, Steven Perez of Starr County and Carson Smith of Hall County.
The finalists were able to meet with U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar, August Pfluger, Louie Gohmert, Ronny Jackson and Pete Sessions. The students also met with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn’s staff.
The students toured D.C., visiting national monuments, museums, and other D.C. area attractions.
They also met with congressional interns from Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University.
“These students are extremely bright and worked hard on their speeches,” Bush said. “This trip is an opportunity to reward them for their hard work, allow them to network with each other and learn this summer.”
Each student brought home a different lesson from the trip.
“I was able to meet with my representative, Rep. Pfluger, and talk with him about agriculture and learn more about the political process,” Flanagan, the contest winner, said. “It was informative to meet with the staff of the senators and representatives and learn from them and how they work. The main thing I took from them was to always be open-minded in order to work together to make our country a better place.”
It was Flanagan’s first trip to D.C., and it made an impression on him.
“It’s been great getting to meet with our representatives and senators and hear their views. We also met with the Texas A&M and Tech interns to hear about their experiences, what they’re learning and how we can apply that to our future college careers and possible internships,” Flanagan said. “This trip was such an amazing opportunity.”
The trip helped students understand grassroots advocacy and how one voice can help make a difference.
“It’s influential for younger people like us to see how politics work and how things run in D.C.,” Hoffmann, the contest runner-up, said. “Meeting with staff is key, and calling our senators and representatives can make such an impact. In the future, I’ll reach out to my congressional offices and voice my concerns over legislation related to agriculture and things I’m passionate about.”
The trip was also about networking opportunities and learning American history.
“To get to see how our congressional policy system works, dive into our country’s history through tour stops and to get to know the other students made this such an informative and fun trip,” Hoffmann said.
The Free Enterprise Speech Contest is an annual competition open to any young TFB member who participated in the organization’s Engage program, which is part of the Student Success Series.
Through the competition, students are asked to share what they learned about constitutional government and the free enterprise system.
The contest is an opportunity to earn money for college, gain valuable communication skills and strengthen leadership qualities. High school students take an in-depth look at the U.S. economy and country and communicate those thoughts and their understanding in a speech.
For more information on youth opportunities available through Farm Bureau, visit texasfarmbureau.org/youth/youth-opportunities.