Como Park Senior High School

Como AP Government students visit D.C.

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Fifteen seniors studying AP Government and AP Economics recently spent a week in Washington D.C. as part of the national Close Up program.
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 at museums of the Smithsonian, the Holocaust Museum, Black Lives Matter Plaza, the White House, Arlington National Cemetery, and unique Washington neighborhoods.
On their Capitol Hill Day, Como students observed an Energy and Commerce sub-committee hearing on data privacy and social media before an hour-long meeting with Congresswoman Betty McCollum in her office. The discussion had a powerful impact on the students who responded to their representative’s questions about education, public safety, and the environment while also listening to the Congresswoman describe the work of Congress and its current climate.
After a tour of the U.S. Capitol building itself, students had meetings on the Senate side of the hill with both Senator Tina Smith and Senator Amy Klobuchar. Capitol Hill Day also included visits to the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress and the House of Representatives chamber.
Throughout the week, Como students were engaged in policy discussions and simulations with peers from across the nation and beyond in workshop groups. A total of 90 students represented the states of California, New York, Rhode Island, Ohio, Michigan, as well as Puerto Rico and France.
The week of experiential learning helps create informed and engaged citizens, equipped with skills to make a difference in their community and our world. Students participated in several fundraising efforts but reaching Washington D.C. is still only possible because of extremely generous donations and scholarships provided by supporters in the Como community.

Spring musical
Como’s Theater Department performed four energetic shows of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling B-E-E” from March 17-21. Audiences enjoyed Friday’s opening night, followed by a Saturday matinee and Saturday evening performance, concluding with a Tuesday afternoon show for students and staff during the school day.
Producer and music director Siri Keller, with director Suzy Myhre and choreographer Maija Kelly said it was an honor to work with such a dedicated cast and crew.
Keller shared that they wanted students to explore new skills without judgement. “We wanted to push these new artists forward into characters, songs, set and lighting designs that forced them to think inwardly as much as they did outwardly.”
Cast members included Roman Rivers, Genevieve DeGaetano, Emerson Spencer, Liam Donegan, Ellen Chinema, Xee Lee, Cece Hawks, Koda Karan, Par’iz Battee, July Paw, Jonathan Newman, Corry George Summers, Duazong Xiong, Lillian Mae, Lucia Rosewell, and Ywa Hay Paw.
The crew consisted of Kaya Solheid, Freddy Gray, Vi Eicher, Maggie Fuller, Bella Becarra, Bean Bougie, Linnea Common, Charlie Dahl, Lila Kopp, Charlie McCabe, Lisa Truong, Clara Dunne, Ana Como, Millie Huth, and Lily Pettiford.

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