Celebrating Veterans Day in Washington, D.C.

I was fortunate to attend the 13th annual National Honor Society Conference. I, like Danika [Keating, see story at left], enjoyed the workshops and the opportunities to meet new people. It was refreshing to receive encouragement and new ideas for this upcoming year.

However, of all that I experienced while in Washington, D.C., I enjoyed sightseeing the most. Being my first time in our nation's Capitol, everything was new and exciting; from riding the Metro to standing at the Vietnam Memorial.

The first stop on my travels was Arlington Cemetery. While at the cemetery, I toured Kennedy's Eternal Flame, Robert E. Lee's home and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Danika and I witnessed the changing of the guard.

After Arlington Cemetery, we viewed the Washington Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial and the World War II Memorial, all of which were amazing.

The most sobering experience was encountering the Holocaust Museum: the images, stories, and clothing shown in the exhibits made the terror real.

My final glimpse of Washington, D.C., before coming home was the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

My greatest interest was the Hope Diamond and other gems. I soon was lost in a world with rubies, amethysts and other precious jewels surrounding me.

Attending the conference and examining the sights made my first experience in Washington, D.C., fantastic.

n Kristin Neddenriep is one of two students at Carson High School to attend the National Honor Society Conference in Washington, D.C., recently.