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By Ezra Foote
My journey with the McConnell Center began when I traveled from my hometown of Murray, Kentucky—a place so far west that we just recently got a KFC—to Louisville for the Center’s Young Leaders Academy (YLA). YLA is a four-day program at the University of Louisville for Kentucky high school students where they revisit American constitutionalism.
Each day was packed with invigorating lectures and seminars led by UofL faculty, students, and experts on the American founding. YLA was a life-changing experience where I befriended a wide variety of fellow like-minded high school students and scholars from across the commonwealth. I had the opportunity to talk to real-world leaders such as Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams, and Senator Mitch McConnell. Beyond the classroom, we had the opportunity to watch the Louisville Bats baseball team play and visited Main Event for laser tag!
In preparation for the lectures and seminars at YLA, the Center mailed a binder containing key founding documents ranging from the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights to the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. These texts strengthened my understanding of the long intellectual journey of human progress that led to the creation of our constitutional republic.
Speaking of republics, each year the Freshman Scholars read Plato’s Republic. This timeless work has influenced philosophers, historians, and leaders for centuries, including America’s Founding Fathers, and it has quickly become one of my favorite books. Throughout this semester we met with Dr. Gregg to discuss The Republic in depth. So far, our conversations have explored the importance of citizenship, mental and physical fortitude, and the meaning of justice. My favorite part of studying The Republic has been finding traces of our own Constitution and Declaration of Independence within its pages. I often imagine a young James Madison or Thomas Jefferson deeply immersed in his studies, analyzing every word of this ancient text, finding inspiration and a better understanding of the nature of man and justice. Understanding The Republic is not about memorizing definitions; The Republic is about learning how to discuss and debate the complex questions humans have asked for thousands of years. During these discussions, I fell into the world of Plato’s metaphors, philosophical arguments, and Athenian slang. It has been a challenging and eye-opening experience. My first semester in the program has been packed full of extraordinary opportunities, memories, and wonderful new friendships. I look forward to the next semester!
Ezra is a McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville in the class of 2029. He is studying political science.