Student attends DC conference

 

Casey Luddington

Casey Luddington stands gazing at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., while attending the WLC.

Casey Luddington attended the FFA Washington Leadership Conference (WLC) in June. This was made possible through the generosity of some folks and businesses in Freedom. Luddington went with a group of 84 Oklahomans via a 30-hour bus ride and spent a week in DC. His stay consisted of leadership workshops and tours of the nation's capital.

The leadership workshops and keynote speakers inspired attendees to look inward at the unique offerings they bring to the table. "The question is: Who is going to help? Are we to sit back and do nothing? Or watch someone else?" Luddington said. "The speakers concentrated on the concept that in order to help you don't stand around and wait for something big to happen but rather do what you can with what you have where you are. That was the message."

Casey Luddington

Casey Luddington poses in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C. While there, his tour group met with U.S. Sen. James Langford and U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas.

"The speaker began by stating that it seems that everyone is always complaining about something. Instead of one sitting down and not doing anything about it, he or she needs to look for an opportunity to help. A simple act of kindness can go a long way," he said.

During the conference students took tours of the D.C. area. Tours included Arlington National Cemetery, a night tour of monuments, the U.S. Capitol building, the Newseum, Mt. Vernon and the Smithsonian.

Luddington enjoyed all the tours and the conference itself, but one tour touched him above the others. "All the tours were great, but I liked the tour of Arlington National Cemetery," Luddington said. "It is overwhelming how big the place is and how many soldiers died, giving their life for our freedoms. And then to sit through the ceremony of the Unknown Soldier takes on a whole new meaning for me."

 

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