Editor's note: After the death of a local teenager, Brittany Holmes, 16, wrote a letter to media outlets and politicians asking for improvements to Bollinger County roads. Since her January letter, Holmes, a home-schooled student from Marble Hill, Mo., has been attending meetings with county, state and federal representatives to lobby for better road conditions, primarily along highways 34 and 51.

Over the past month there have been many things, small and great, done for Bollinger County. We have gotten a voice, which is one thing every county, town or person should want.

I was fortunate enough to meet with Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, who is a great leader. He talked to me about how he thought it was a good idea for our county to be speaking out to the governor (or any government leader, really.) He gave me ideas, and suggestions as to what could be done to further this campaign for safer roads.

I also got to speak with state Sen. Jason Crowell and state Rep. Shelley Keeney. Both of them are amazing at their jobs. I didn't understand fully how hard it must be to do the things they do at the state Capitol. I got to stay with Rep. Keeney, and it was an interesting week.

She planned several meetings, including ones with the Missouri Department of Transportation, Kinder, Crowell and others. I have learned that Republican or Democrat, they have a job to do. Some do it with all they have, while others try to push things aside and ignore the needs. I have gotten a response in some way or another from everyone I have written to except for Gov. Jay Nixon, Sen. Claire McCaskill and Sen. Kit Bond.

I have definitely gotten a lot out of this. I have been lucky enough to have the support of my community, so I have been able to continue no matter what problems would come up. I have had a lot of help from Rep. Jo Ann Emerson as well. She has been helpful contacting MoDOT and keeping them updated, keeping in contact with me, talking to me about my ideas and ultimately trying to make sure we get all the help we need.

This has been an educational experience for me. It has shown me things I never expected to care about. It has shown me that government leaders are really just normal people. They make mistakes but if they are smart enough they learn from and grow from them. I really hope that they decide to continue with the work they are doing and don't try to push it aside.