AP Government students visit D.C.

Robert Wasiluk

Eighteen seniors currently studying AP Government and AP Economics spent the final week of February in Washington D.C. as part of the national Close Up program.
Close Up is a nonpartisan foundation dedicated to bringing students together from across the nation for civil discourse and immersive learning with the nation’s capital serving as the classroom.
After months of planning, intensive college-level study of U.S. government and politics, and significant fundraising including extremely generous donations from members of the Como community, the motivated and dedicated student group embarked upon a memory making experience.
Highlights included study visits to national monuments and memorials including Jefferson, FDR, Martin Luther King, Jr., Lincoln, World War II, Vietnam, and Korea. There were also study visits to museums of the Smithsonian, Arlington National Cemetery, and different Washington D.C. neighborhoods.
On Wednesday, Feb. 26, Como students visited Capitol Hill for an unforgettable day. They observed the Senate Agricultural, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee discussing the impact of proposed budget cuts, with Senator Amy Klobuchar speaking as the Democrats’ ranking member.
After touring the U.S. Capitol building and rotunda, Como students engaged in a policy meeting with Senator Tina Smith who graciously responded to their questions and concerns. From there, the group was escorted through the Congressional tunnels and subway into the House of Representatives chamber for a viewing from the gallery.
A brief stop in the Supreme Court allowed students to see the chamber for oral arguments, before a walk across Capitol Hill to Congresswoman Betty McCollum’s office.
The Congresswoman hosted a 45-minute policy meeting for the Como students. In response to a student question, McCollum shared her perspectives on the current situation in Washington and the federal government. Students were grateful for her insight, and how she addressed their inquiries about climate change, foreign policy, education, and the reduction of government resources.
The memorable day continued with a night at the National Theater where a Broadway touring company performed the Tony-nominated musical comedy “Shucked.”
Additional noteworthy events from the week included going to the top of the Washington Monument for awe-inspiring views of the capital city below, visiting the African American Smithsonian Museum, and seeing the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution in the National Archives.
The collective experience was bolstered by the bonds Como classmates made with each other during an educational experience that will impact the rest of their lives and inspire political participation. Students gained knowledge they can use to try and preserve and impact our democracy going forward.
“Seeing the history and government in person that used to be just words in my textbook brought on a sense of deep responsibility,” said Como senior Aymelee Xiong. “I really owe my family, my ancestors, and the countless individuals who built this country to always strive for my best and not give up hope.”