I want to offer huge thanks to Lewiston city staff, the City Council, and everyone else involved with our recent trip to the All-America City finals in Anaheim, Calif. Most particularly, I want to thank Lewiston’s Youth Advisory Council for the phenomenal work they did in researching, writing and submitting our application (the kids did about 80 percent of the work required), developing our presentation, rehearsing endlessly with the rest of us, and enduring five days of travel, little sleep and a final-hour disappointment.

I’m awed by the dedication, passion and maturity shown by these youth, and very proud to have been part of the delegation. The experience of being part of something much bigger than any one person will stay with us for the rest of our lives.

There have been some who thought this trip was just a vacation at taxpayer expense. I can assure them, it was not. The kids (and city staff) put in hundreds of hours of preparation over the past six-plus months. The members of the Youth Council had a complete immersion in learning the skills needed for “real life” and the world of work: skills in perseverance, research, documentation, marketing, writing, teamwork, statistics, values, philosophies, current events, history, scriptwriting, editing, politics, sociology of cultures, trust – even art and music. Their work was a critical part of our success in being named a finalist in this competition. What an education for them. And what an experience for all of us.

Linda Hertell, president/CEO

Richardson Hollow Enterprises, Lewiston