Rachel Brown, an Adams County Christian School senior, got a taste of life on Capitol Hill as part of the National Young Leaders Conference held in Washington, D.C., last month.

As a National Scholar, Brown was one of 350 students selected to participate in the leadership development program on the basis of scholastic merit, community involvement and leadership potential to interact with the nation’s leaders.

&uot;The whole thing helped me realize how our government works,&uot; she said. &uot;(From government classes) I knew the basics, but it helped me see all the minor details.&uot;

During the conference, held Oct. 17-22, Brown participated in all three branches of the federal government. Along with visiting the Supreme Court chambers and the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, Brown took part in simulated Congress committee meetings, presidential Cabinet meetings and Supreme Court hearings. Brown said she most enjoyed the legislative process, because &uot;your opinion really matters when you’re part of a committee or a subcommittee.&uot;

While the experience — the trip was Brown’s first to the capital — was fun, it also required &uot;a lot of hard work,&uot; she said.

Each night, the students were required to study reports, case briefs and bill summaries in preparation for their governmental roles.

As a Supreme Court justice, Brown was faced with the issue of public prayer before high school sporting events.

&uot;I had to think about both sides,&uot; she said. &uot;About what it would mean for everybody.&uot;

Brown said the conference forced her step outside her life as a student at a Christian school in the conservative South and relate to students from all over the country.

While she has no plans to enter political life in the future, Brown said the conference has already proved valuable. &uot;In the election, I used what I learned in&160;Washington to decide for myself on issues the candidates talk about,&uot; she said. &uot;Even though I wasn’t able to vote, I could influence somebody who could.&uot;

Brown is the daughter of Bill and Betty Brown of Natchez.