LEWISTON – Two youths and a staff member from the New Beginnings Transitional Living Program boarded a plane at the Portland International Jetport bound for Washington, D.C., recently.

Mike Prior, Dan Newbert and Ethan May were chosen to attend a four-day conference hosted by the National Network for Youth. The experience offered many “firsts,” including jet travel, subway ride, meal at an Indian restaurant and D.C. visit.

The conference focus was two-fold: meeting teens from around the country to share ideas and issues confronting adolescents and to meet with U.S. senators and representatives to encourage their support for legislation that provides funding for youth-serving agencies.

The New Beginnings group met dozens of young adults and met with U.S. Congressman Tom Allen and Sen. Olympia Snowe. They also visited the White House, the Capitol Building, the Lincoln and Washington monuments and the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.