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The Smoky Mountain Children’s Home in Sevier County recently hosted U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger as part of its all staff meeting.

This monthly event was attended by SMCH staff and residents, along with guests Ron and Betty Ogle, Patty Mills (First District Field Representative) and Daryl Brady (First District Director).

Harshbarger is a pharmacist, businesswoman, and politician serving as the U. S. Representative for Tennessee’s First Congressional District covering Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington and Sevier counties, as well as parts of Jefferson County.

Harshbarger and her staff took a tour of the SMCH campus prior to attending the meeting where she delivered a speech staff officials called imformative and inspiring in a press release.

After her speech, she took time to answer questions from the audience.

Harshbarger said that she faced many challenges in her life; however, God ordained her path into public service and brought her into the leadership role where she now serves.

She challenged the SMCH youth to study, work hard and set goals to overcome the challenges in their lives.

Additionally, she encouraged them to view all failures and triumphs as necessary parts of achieving those goals.

“Nothing you do in life is wasted; there is a purpose for good and evil, be thankful for all things,” Harshbarger said.

The SMCH youth were encouraged to pursue their dreams and remember “knowledge is power” and “whatever you do, do it for the Lord.” In closing, Harshbarger said, “This is a generation that will change the nation.”