Leadership Tomorrow on Steps of Capital
Murray, Ky., March 26, 2024-----Members of the Leadership Tomorrow Group traveled to Washington, D.C. recently as a part of the year-long program recognizing young leaders in the Calloway County and Murray High schools.
“The Leadership Tomorrow Washington D.C. trip was full of experiences that will remain memories for a long time. I thoroughly enjoyed learning the history of our Nation’s Capital through ways of touring historic sites and memorials. I especially loved the walking monument tour that we took while in D.C.,” said Jacee McKeel, Calloway County High school junior. “I oved the trip and would recommend Leadership Tomorrow to anyone who wants to join.”
This year thirty-one members of the group traveled to D.C., where they logged approximately ten walking miles a day visiting many historical sites including the National Museum of Archives, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Museum of American History, and the National Portrait Gallery. Students also participated in a walking moonlight monument tour, special tours of the White House Visitor’s Center, Ford’s Theatre, Capital, and meeting Murray High School and Calloway County High school alumni.
Isabelle Bourne, MHS junior, said the D.C. trip provided a great experience. “I had so much fun learning about our nation’s capital,” she said. Bourne, a member of the MHS Swim Team, was able to connect with MHS graduate and former MHS Swim Team member, Lauren Erickson. “One of my favorite things was having dinner with alumni and talking with Lauren Erickson, about livelihood in D.C.”
Murray High and Calloway County junior and senior students who travelled to Washington, D.C:, Isabelle Bourne, Jayden Boyd, Kierstyn Carraway, Macy Chiles, Averie Crick, Ella Endrezl , Ellie Falwell, Reed Falwell, Emma Fennell, Ava Claire Flota, Summer Flowers, Kikui Hall, Corban Henshaw, Cooper Housden, Rylie Lencki, Kaylee Morris, Omar Khatib ,Tyler Lilly, Lexi McClure, Jacee McKeel, Emma Martin, Aary Patal, Prem Patel, Joessiah Reyes, Savannah Scott, Brooklyn Smith, Zak Stark, Brooklyn Swatzell, Avery Vanover, Trey Ward, and Macy Weaver.
The following Murray High School and Calloway County High School alumni met with the group during dinner at the Elephant Castle Restaurant. The Murray High School Alumni & Friends Association contributed funding to the dinner to assist with the meal for the alumni.
Max Crofton-(2013 MHS graduate and Murray State University graduate) Technical Sgt. Max Crofton is a tubist with the premier United States Air Force Band stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C. where he performs with the Ceremonial Brass. The Ceremonial Brass is the official ceremonial ensemble of the United States Air Force and is one of six musical ensembles that form The U.S. Air Force Band. A Murray State University Summa Cum Laude graduate, who received a Master of Music from Indiana University, Crofton is currently a doctoral candidate at Indiana University.
Mariel (Jackson) Gibson (MHS 2012) is a strategic communications expert with nearly a decade of experience working in Washington, DC. She is currently the Director of Communications at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, where she oversees the development and execution of internal and external communications. Mariel earned an M.A. in Strategic Communication from American University and a B.A. in Integrated Strategic Communication from the University of Kentucky.
Lauren (Erickson) Gremizzi (MHS 2012) is employed for Lulafit as a Portfolio Director for Tourmaline Capital Partners' commercial real estate amenity portfolio. Lulafit is a CRE amenity management and design consulting company based out of Chicago and operating in 14 cities across the US. Gremizzi is responsible for client account management and hospitality, conferencing, and fitness center operations. Gremizzi earned an M.S. in Kinesiology from The University of Illinois at Chicago and a B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas.
Patrick Griffo (MHS 2012) is an attorney at Wiley Rein LLP in Washington, DC, where he represents clients in a variety of national security and international trade matters. He received his Juris Doctor from George Mason University, Antonin Scalia Law School, and his Bachelor of Arts from Bellarmine University. Prior to practicing law, he spent several years working as an intelligence officer at the Central Intelligence Agency and Department of Defense, where he focused on China military issues.
Nolan Jackson (MHS 2009) is an attorney in Frost Brown Todd’s office in Washington, DC, where he practices business litigation and regulatory law. Jackson is a graduate of Murray High School, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Kentucky College of Law.
Ashley Winkler (CCHS 2007) She moved to Washington D.C. to work as a law clerk for Chief Judge Prost on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and today works at the law firm Covington & Burling LLP where she practices law and specializes in patent litigation..
A Murray State University graduate with degrees in chemistry and Spanish, Winkler was a Fulbright grantee in Santander, Spain for one year before attending the University of Kentucky College of Law.
Sherry Purdom, Leadership Tomorrow director, Ashley Fritsche, CCHS co-director, Jennifer Ernstberger, CCHS co-director, and Shawn Smee, Murray State University LT director, extend their appreciation to the community. "On behalf of the 2024 Leadership Tomorrow Class we extend our appreciation to the community for their unwavering support and to Murray State University on their partnership to the program.”
The 2024-2025 Leadership Tomorrow applications are now available at each respective school and are due April 26, 2024.