Student Reflections
“The entire week was fantastic! I thoroughly enjoyed the nice mix of learning about the life of Henry Clay and about how to practice the values that Mr. Clay espoused in our modern world.” ~Jamin Dowdy, Alabama, 2011
“This experience has inspired and challenged me in ways that will remain with me long after I leave. I’m ready to take my experiences from the Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship and share it with my university, my community and my country.” ~Rhea Cardwell, Alaska, 2009
“Amazing hospitality and fellow students!” ~Sam Kliener, Arizonia, 2008
2011 Student Congress Delegates prepare for debate on proposed constitutional amendments.
“The fact that there are people here from all states is amazing. It demonstrates that regardless of what region of the country we are from, we are all Americans and share a common cultural and historical heritage.” ~Alec Lisco, Arkansas, 2009
“I enjoyed most the opportunity to meet people from throughout the country and being able to hear different viewpoints while being respectful of each other.” ~Chadd Hollowed, California, 2009
“This has been the most useful conference that I have attended.” ~Nathan Pesch, Colorado, 2009
“I have thoroughly enjoyed this week. It was great to explore Kentucky and reaffirm my dedication to this country. I wholeheartedly recommend the Student Congress to anyone interested in the betterment of their state and country.” ~Rebecca Clegg, Connecticut, 2011
“This was an amazing opportunity!” ~Chris Lang, Deleware, 2009
“The concept of this program is truly inspiring. This course provided a great opportunity to get a foundation of skills, knowledge and tools to become a statesman modeled after the example set by Henry Clay. I enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about myself as well as gauge my interest in potential future careers.” ~Lisa Peterson, Washington, D.C., 2009
“This week has truly been an amazing experience and it opened my eyes to the diversity, passion and personality of my country and the brilliant students that live here.” ~Bethany Mihalik, Florida, 2009
“This experience was very enlightening!” ~April Demsko, Georgia, 2009
“This experience is time I will never forget and am so thankful to everyone who put so much effort into putting this together. I hope it continues for a long time!” ~Kanoa Mayer, Hawaii, 2011
2008 Student Congress Delegates at Kentucky State Capitol
“…this experience was amazing beyond belief and I hope you convey our deepest thanks to the donors of this program.” ~Kelsey Bernstein, Idaho, 2011
“I can honestly say that my week in Lexington was literally the best week of my life…The HCCS provided me with opportunities I never dreamed of having.” ~Tim McMahon, Illinois, 2011
“Extremely well organized.” ~Natalie Campbell, Indiana, 2009
“Through the many highlights of the week, one thing is for certain–the people of Lexington, in the true spirit of Henry Clay, understand the importance of investing in the future generation.” ~David Opong-Wadee, Iowa, 2011
“I appreciated the fact that this experience lent itself well to helping me make choices about what I want to do with my life in the future.” ~Andrew Wiens, Kansas, 2009
“I greatly enjoyed the program and feel honored to have been amongst such distinguished company.” ~Kara Osbourne, Kentucky, 2009
“We all know we were part of something extraordinary. And when the top college senior leaders across America are all in consensus that they wish we had more time to learn and interact with one another, I believe that is more than enough evidence to the success of the program. We all walked away different and for the better. Thank you for putting us together, and for the organization that gave us a fun and friendly atmosphere to see within ourselves by looking at the life of Henry Clay.” ~David Jones, Louisiana, 2011
“Phenomenal week!” ~Nate Wildes, Maine, 2011
“Bless all the selfless people involved in the Center who make this possible. You have been so good to us!” ~Nicholas Cravotta, Maryland, 2010
“I found this to be an invaluable learning experience. I would highly recommend it to anyone. I thoroughly enjoyed the speakers and would do this all over again in a second.” ~Alexandra Halprin, Massachusetts, 2010
“Debating students representing every state gave us hands on insight in how to discuss issues in a professional manner.” ~JaLisha Belle, Michigan, 2009
“I will forever speak highly of the program.” ~Mara Berdahl, Minnesota, 2009
Delegates enjoying presentation by guest speaker.
“This is the highlight of my summer. I had a blast and learned so much in so little time. I am leaving this week with a greater interest in Henry Clay and the art of compromise.” ~Matthew Henry, Mississippi, 2010
“I would like to thank everyone involved for what has truly been an amazing, fantastic week. I will strongly recommend this program in the future.” ~Jennifer Kimball, Missouri, 2008
“The best part of the whole event was the opportunity to engage with my peers from all 50 states. That was a COOL group of people, and it was so enriching to engage with them because of their obvious intellect and talents.” ~Zach Brown, Montana, 2011
“I will probably do the Congress an injustice because of my brevity, but this has been a remarkable experience. Not only have I met some of the brightest minds, truest characters and best college seniors. I also learned so much about statesmanship, diplomacy, critical thinking and Henry Clay’s incredible life. This week has given me a new perspective.” ~Harrison Hugg, Nebraska, 2o1o
“It was fantastic! The knowledge I gained was incredibly valuable, but I am most satisfied with the connections and friendships I made during the week in Lexington.” ~Nate Helton, Nevada, 2011
“I am convinced I spent the week sitting next to and learning from the generation’s top leaders.” ~Abdullah Feroze, New Mexico, 2009
“It was interesting and eye-opening to spend the week learning and interacting with people from such diverse backgrounds. Even though we might not have agreed on everything, we could always find common ground–a lesson with global relevance.” Thomas Parisi, New Hampshire, 2009
“For everyone who contributed to this fantastic experience, thank you! This program was extremely well organized, stimulating and fund. Aside from the benefits of this short course, to be able to meet one student, of similar age and interests, from each of the 50 states and D.C. is a truly unforgettable experience.” ~Taylor Massa, New Jersey, 2009
“This was an absolutely amazing experience and I would like to thank everyone who made it possible for me to be here. This week inspired me to achieve more in my life and to really utilize my talents to their fullest potential. Everyone was so hospitable. Great southern generosity.” ~Kelsey Ryan, New York, 2008
“I am so grateful to you all for putting together this amazing week of events. It is an experience I will never forget and has really ramped up my goals for the future.” ~Emmy Downs, North Carolina, 2011
“I loved the week! I not only learned from Henry Clay’s values, I took away this information for my future career.” ~Beth Vipond, North Dakota, 2009
“I loved this program. The Student Congress was the best experience I’ve had in college.” ~Matthew Edwards, Ohio, 2011
“I thoroughly enjoyed this experience and will highly encourage students from my university to pursue an opportunity to attend this program.” ~Allison Carter, Oklahoma, 2009
“This experience was one of the most influential experiences I’ve participated in to date. Being a journalism major, I learned so much and I am excited to apply the skills I developed from the program within my life. I will never forget my Henry Clay Family.” ~Kayla Albrecht, Oregon, 2011
“I cannot emphasize how appreciative I am for the Henry Clay Center paying for all of this. It was incredibly generous of the Board and all of the donors. My first experience in Kentucky has been amazing and it definitely won’t be the last.” ~Annie Lee, Pennsylvania, 2008
“I learned more this week than I learned last semester–seriously! This was a rare opportunity and a once in a lifetime experience for which I cannot genuinely convey how grateful I am.” ~Margaret Frost, Rhode Island, 2010
“I enjoyed most having the opportunity to meet our sponsors and create bonds with other students from across the country that we would not have met under other circumstances.” ~Laurin Weatherly, South Carolina, 2009
“I can definitely say that this has been one of the most interesting and exciting things I have ever done. I have had the chance to participate in many leadership positions and development programs, but this is easily the best!” ~Eric Hanson, South Dakota, 2008
“This program is fantastic!” ~Dave Webb, Tennessee, 2009
“There are so many things that make this a phenomenal program. The fact that Henry Clay is the role model of the week is so important to our generation, especially since many of us are looking towards careers in public service. I feel lucky to have been exposed to such a special city and its wonderful people.” ~Chelsea Adler, Texas, 2010
“I absolutely loved the entire conference. I hope to maintain involvement in this organization for quite some time. Thank you for a wonderful experience.” ~Josh Barton, Utah, 2011
“Thank you so much for this fantastic week. It was a wonderful opportunity to interact with such incredible people.” ~Elizabeth Hewitt, Vermont, 2010
“One of the best experiences in my life and definitely would do it again.” ~John Puckett, Virginia, 2011
“This was the greatest opportunity ever!” ~Brittany Hardy, West Virginia, 2008
“The whole experience was amazing. I’ve been to a lot of leadership conferences and never have I learned so much about myself and the world around me.” ~Emily Lewis, Washington, 2009
“Thank you! Everyone working to make this possible is truly appreciated and I found you all to be more than helpful and accommodating.” ~Meghan Goerke, Washington, 2010
“This was a great learning experience. The Kentucky hospitality was awesome!” ~Lauren Johnson, Wyoming, 2010
