While most college students spend their summer vacation months either working summer jobs or taking summer classes, Clinton County’s Ashley Stearns used her time off from classes at Eastern Kentucky University to enjoy what she is calling a “remarkable experience.”

Stearns, a 2010 Clinton County High School graduate, spent the summer months interning for a large law firm.

The opportunity fits right along with Stearns’ plans onfpursuing a career in law, plans that would include attending law school when she graduates from EKU in 2013.

It wasn’t the fact that she was able to intern with a law firm that made the experience so remarkable for Stearns, it was the location of the firm she spent the summer working at that made the experience an opportunity that she will forever remember.

Stearns spent this past summer interning for Akerman Senterfitt, LLP, a large law firm located in Washington, D.C.

“This summer in Washington D.C. has sincerely been a remarkable experience,” Stearns told the Clinton County News recently during a series of emails about the internship opportunity. ‘This great opportunity has allowed me to grow both professionally and academically.”

Stearns, the daughter of Terry K. Stearns and Patricia D. Stearns, of Albany, said the summer experience was made possible through an academic internship program known as The Washington Center.

She was selected for the program through a competitive application process that led to her being chosen for the internship program.

“The Washington Center helped me receive my internship at Akerman Senterfitt LLP,” Stearns explained. “Additionally, I registered for an academic course, and the Political Leadership Seminar Program.”

Stearns spent a considerable amount of her summer internship working directly with the governmental leaders in Washington.

“My supervisor is a public policy advisor on matters involving higher education and workforce development.” Stearns said. “My roles and responsibilities here include attending Congressional hearings and markups, creating in-depth summaries for Congressional hearings, markups, and proposed legislation. In addition, I am required to review and research various reports generated by House and Senate committees. ”

Stearns added that while a good amount of her time and duties were directly linked to the Congressional process, she was also able to be involved in other areas that made her experience even more meaningful.

“I volunteered for the Veterans Civic Engagement Project. This opportunity allowed me to participate as a volunteer at the 32nd National Veteran Wheelchair Games held in Richmond, VA. During this project I provided water, towels, and ice packs to disabled veteran competitors. In addition, I interacted and conversed with our United States veterans,” Stearns added. “This was truly a rewarding experience.”

She added that her summer internship in our nation’s capitol also afforded her a host of other opportunities, including meeting some of our nation’s leaders such as Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-Hopkinsville), whose 1st U.S. Congressional District includes Clinton County.

“A highlight of this time was meeting with Congressman Whitfield and discussing various topics – including Albany, Kentucky,” Stearns said.

Stearns said that her experiences in Washington D.C. this summer with Akerman Senterfitt should be something that will certainly benefit her in her chosen career path.

“My time in D.C. will definitely benefit my future,”Stearns said. “As a Political Science major at Eastern Kentucky University, I can take the experiences and knowledge I have witnessed here back to my home institution, and on to my prospective career path.”