What do you get when you mix teen leaders, art, history, science, and a week in Washington, D.C.? An unforgettable Smithsonian Youth Leadership Team (YLT) adventure!
For the second year in a row, The Rockwell Museum teamed up with the Corning-Painted Post High School Learning Center (HSLC) to represent one of only four Smithsonian Affiliate museums selected for this incredible opportunity. Additional Affiliate delegates included the Arab American National Museum in Michigan, the International Museum of Art & Science in Texas, and the Greensboro History Museum in North Carolina.
Working together with peers from across the country, HSLC students Tyrell Rivers, Luca Sauter, and Grehyson Perry (who served in a senior leadership role) stepped up as teen ambassadors for Corning, New York. Hosted by the National Museum of American History (NMAH), the week was packed with behind-the-scenes museum tours, hands-on workshops, career inspiration, and time exploring museums along the National Mall. Yes, it was hot and humid—but worth every moment!
“My experience on the Smithsonian Youth Leadership Team was invaluable. I developed skills in public speaking, advocacy, and communication, while also gaining insights into business travel. This opportunity has effectively prepared me for my first semester in college and has set a strong foundation for my future career. I extend my sincere gratitude to the Smithsonian for this incredible experience and opportunity.” – Tyrell Rivers
“The most memorable experience for me was definitely going down to the shops and meeting some of the people that work on the inside. Something that I will never forget is just how much the public doesn’t get to see, and the Smithsonian museums’ impact and improvement on our lives.” – Luca Sauter
“The most meaningful part of the experience was being introduced to other teenagers. Especially ones that share such a willingness to speak up and a likeness to be heard!” – Grehyson Perry
A Week of Big Ideas and Bold Voices
Under the guidance of Megan Linehan, Education Specialist and Program Manager at NMAH, the YLT dove into conversations that matter, covering everything from history and identity to social justice and community advocacy. At the beginning of the week, students took part in a Say More with Les panel, hosted by Leslie Poster, Senior Writer-Editor at NMAH, where they voiced their own ideas for change and learned how storytelling can spark action.
During this nationwide program, teens from Corning benefitted from engaging with 11 other participants and Smithsonian professionals to share perspectives and personal experiences from their communities. Together, the teens learned about historical connections to issues young people face today, while Smithsonian staff listened closely, considering how to integrate their insights into future work. Over the course of the week, students built lasting relationships, developed their communication and leadership skills, and explored how their interests and passions can come to life in museum spaces.
Stamping an Impact
At the National Postal Museum, students had a VIP experience with Maureen Leary, Director of the Department of Education & Visitor Experience, and Phoebe Sherman, Education Specialist, diving deep into the stories behind postage stamps. Students toured the collections vault with Director of Collections Rebecca Ben-Atar, where they viewed original stamp artwork, learned about “naked mail” (shipping an item without packaging), viewed a coconut that was mailed during WWII, and even saw a stamp made from tissue paper during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also visited the conservation area with Kelly Cooper, Collections Technician, and Scott Devine, Conservator, who shared their work of object conservation and showed how stamp designs blend art, symbolism, and social messages. Students were invited to consider who they would put on a stamp in an activity to design their own commemorative stamp for 2026. Who would you put on a stamp?
Creativity and Courage in Careers
On a panel discussion about their unique career paths, Smithsonian employees explored big questions relevant to their work and societal impact: Why does this work matter? How can it heal? How do we tell stories that resonate, inform, and connect? Smithsonian panelists included Gabrielle Miller, Program Specialist and Archaeologist at the National Museum of African American History and Culture; Lizzie Peabody and James Morrison, Producers of Sidedoor: A Podcast from the Smithsonian; and Philip LoPiccolo, Government Relations Liaison. Students were eager to learn how the panelists’ work impacts exhibitions, object interpretation, research projects, storytelling, and civic advocacy.
Students also worked with Berea College Student Craft Interns to learn traditional Appalachian crafts and gain hands-on experience in a fun and dynamic group workshop. This exposed YLT participants to new skills and understanding material processes rooted in history and connected to artmaking traditions today.
Strike a Pose
Smithsonian photographer Jackie Nash took professional headshots of the students that they can use as they pursue higher education and career opportunities. This provided another chance for students to learn about another museum profession: photographers document collection objects, and often collaborate with curatorial staff in handling delicate or oversized items in preparation for photo shoots. Digital photographs of museum objects can then be used for object records, for marketing, educational guides, and can be incorporated into visual gallery layouts when planning displays. The session wrapped up with students curating their own group photo, adding a personal touch to a memorable experience.
Exhibition Construction
One of the highlights of the behind-the-scenes moments of the week was meeting at NMAH with Laura McClure, Graphics Specialist, Don Boyce, Exhibits Specialist, and fabrication staff to learn how exhibitions come to life. From metal fabrication and welding to painting, mount-making, printing graphics, and constructing mixed-media custom displays, students learned about the skills and creativity it takes to build exceptional museum experiences. They even had the opportunity to try out a few power tools. Who knew welding gear and paint sprayers could be part of a museum career toolkit?
Lights, Camera, Advocacy
Filming day was the grand finale! Earlier in the week, students warmed up with Julie Garner, Theater Specialist of Experience Development at NMAH, and learned theater skills, public speaking tips, and breathing techniques to tackle nerves before stepping in front of the camera.
The Smithsonian Regional Youth Summit this fall will focus on the theme of Education, a topic selected by the YLT participants. All 14 students collaborated to create a series of video segments to explore historical narratives such as the 1946 Mendez v. Westminster federal case that influenced the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case and the Chicano student walkouts of the 1960s and 70s in Los Angeles. They united their messaging to amplify their thoughts about important issues relevant to their lives and communities today.
Two HSLC students worked together to produce an additional video highlighting their local advocacy efforts at the Corning-Painted Post District school board meeting earlier this year. Their voices played a powerful role in influencing the district’s proposed budget and preserving their alternative high school. Just as the YLT spoke up about issues connected to the historical moments they learned about together at NMAH, Corning students experienced first-hand how collective action can have a real impact on decisions that directly impact their own education.
We are so proud of our Corning students and grateful to the Smithsonian Institution and National Museum of American History for making their voices part of a national conversation.