Youth Connect to History 2026

July 20th, 2026

(Addison Thorne, FreeState’s delegate for the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, is the daughter of Stephen and Andrea Thorne.)

A few months ago, I was given the incredible opportunity to join delegates from Kansas, Hawaii and Maine on a tour of our nation’s capital while representing FreeState Electric. Because our school had been fortunate enough to send three delegates for three consecutive years, I expected the trip to be memorable. What I never anticipated, however, was that it would become the best week of my life.

American history has always fascinated me, especially the way it has shaped the lives of generations of Americans. Walking through the monuments and memorials honoring those who devoted their lives to our nation’s future gave me a deeper appreciation for the freedoms and opportunities I often take for granted. Although every landmark left a lasting impression, the place that impacted me most was the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. Even though it was my second visit, the museum once again reminded me how fortunate I am to live in a country where freedom is protected and human dignity is valued. That message became even more meaningful after I had the opportunity to speak with Holocaust survivor Ruth Elenberg Eisenberg, whose story reinforced just how precious those freedoms truly are.

While the history and landmarks were unforgettable, the people I met were what truly made the experience extraordinary. I’ve been blessed with many wonderful friendships over the years, but during that one week, I found a second family. From holding Karlee’s hand during her first flight, to Kasen and Spencer creating our signature handshake, to sharing one final group hug before saying goodbye, every moment strengthened friendships I know will last a lifetime, no matter how many miles separate us. Every monument we explored, every adventure we shared, and every friendship we formed made this journey one I will cherish forever, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity.

Addison Thorne

This content was featured in the August 2026 issue of Kansas Country Living magazine.

Above: Youth Tour kicked off in Topeka with a speech from Trooper Ben, a welcome from notable youth tour alumni, and dinner, followed by an exclusive night tour of the Kansas State Capitol led by Senator Brenda Dietrich and Representative Tobias Schlingensiepen, along with Peter Barstad, director of policy in the Kansas House Majority Leader Chris Croft’s office.

Below: Students pose by the Kansas pillar of the National World War II Memorial. Each of the 56 granite pillars represent the District of Columbia and the states, territories and commonwealths of the time.

Students met with U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (second from the left above) and Roger Marshall (center standing below) of Kansas, to ask thoughtful questions on a range of topics to gain firsthand insight into the legislative process and the role of elected officials.

Above: Students visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, which is situated on four acres in West Potomac Park adjacent to the National Mall. The Stone of Hope is a granite sculpture of King carved by sculptor Lei Yixin.

Beyond the educational experiences, students enjoyed unique opportunities to bond with peers from across the country.

Above: Delegates saw “Moulin Rouge” at the Kennedy Center.

Below: The group enjoyed a Washington Nationals game versus the Kansas City Royals at Nationals Park.

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