CORNING, N.Y. (WENY) -- Some local students were able to take a trip to Washington, D.C earlier this month to bring some perspective to the Smithsonian Institution. Three teens from the High School Learning Center in Corning drove to D.C. to represent the Rockwell Museum, which is a Smithsonian affiliate. The teens are a part of the Smithsonian Secretary's Youth Advisory Council which gives feedback and direction to Smithsonian leadership. The students were apart of just 21 other participants nationwide. 

"I really hope that the things I said, the testimonies I gave and the advice I gave get used and that they go on to help other people," said High School Learning Center 12th grader, Petra Mullooly. "That they go on to help the Smithsonian. It made me feel like I was a part of something way bigger than myself, or even just this town, or just the Rockwell or anything like that."

Every year the Smithsonian welcomes over 20 million visitors. This is the second year the Rockwell Museum has participated in the program, and they hope to continue it in the future.