View from the Bridge: UPIKE student goes to the Capitol
0By: Hanna McIntosh
Leaving Pikeville, Ky., at 7 a.m. is not something most students would view as exciting. As a matter of fact, when I arrived on campus, I could not help but think about what a long day I had ahead of me. I was joined by Judy Bradley, director of financial aid, and admissions counselor Sarah Damron as well as three fellow UPIKE students, Courtney Collins, Hannah Lucas and Megan Pruitt.
After a quick stop at McDonald’s, a stop at the rest area and four different wrong turns, we finally made it to Frankfort, Ky. When we walked into the Annex building, we were greeted with smiling faces. As we walked through the tunnel leading to the Capitol building, I realized the importance of this trip. We were chosen to speak with senators and representatives from the state of Kentucky in order to defend our financial aid. In the beginning, I knew this was the purpose of trip, but excitement set in when we met with our first legislator, Rep. Leslie Combs. Combs expressed what a great supporter of UPIKE she was and agreed that our financial aid was of the upmost importance. She was kind and genuinely interested in what we had to say. Although she had to be brief due to a busy schedule, the impression she left with all of us was exquisite.
After we met with Rep. Combs, we were given a comprehensive tour of the Capitol. I remember taking a similar tour when I was in grade school, but this time, it was different. Our tour guide’s love for Kentucky history was admiral. She shared the detailed history of the Capitol including where the different types of marble, all throughout the capital, was imported from. The next representative we met with was my fellow “Peter Creeker,” Representative W. Keith Hall. This meeting was the most exciting of all. Not only did we discuss financial aid and tell him about each of our future plans, he also asked our opinions about current political issues that he would soon vote on. This meant a lot to us.
Before we knew it, we had spent almost two hours in his office talking politics. I felt myself becoming more and more motivated the longer we spoke. Being a Pike County girl, I was extremely proud to see our representatives reaching out to our generation and looking out for Eastern Kentucky. I firmly believe there are many opportunities coming to the mountains. It was inspiring to be able to speak with people who know our area and know the importance of education in Eastern Kentucky. Before we departed the Capitol, we were introduced by Combs from the House floor. In that moment, I could not have been more proud to be a Bear and representing my university.
This trip was a great eye-opener for me. There are times that we as students are unable to see the big picture because we are so caught up in the “college life”. Speaking with these representatives made me appreciate my education even more than I already do. Before this trip, politics never really interested me. On the way back to Pikeville, I thought about how motivating it was to represent our school in such a positive light and how one day I not only want to represent UPIKE, but Eastern Kentucky as a whole. Who knows? Maybe one day, I will be the next Leslie Combs.