Several of our Advanced Placement Government students went to Washington, DC at the end of this week for a quick, yet jam-packed adventure.
Friday began with a trip to the Department of State. While there, students heard from many individuals who work for both the Department of State and the Department of Defense. They shared how they began their careers, and what students can do, even while in high school, to be involved with the government.
After a quick trip to see the White House, the students continued on to the Smithsonian’s American History Museum, where they looked at exhibits and had lunch. From there, they made their way to the Pentagon for a tour!
At the end of the day, students also had the opportunity to speak with Mr. George Selim ’98, who is the director of the office for community partnerships at the Department of Homeland Security. Following dinner, the students closed out the day by visiting the Jefferson and World War II Monuments.
On Saturday morning, the group toured the Vietnam War, Korean War, Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Frankin Delano Roosevelt Memorials. They also were able to see the Capitol Building. Before returning home, the students stopped at Arlington Cemetery to pay their respects to those brave men and women who are buried there. They were able to witness the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and also visited President John F. Kennedy’s grave site.
Thank you to AP Government Teacher Mrs. Meghan Slanina, who coordinated the trip. We also are so grateful for Mrs. Connie Dierman and her team at the Department of State; Mrs. Amanda Ehrbar Flanagan ’06 and her help with securing the Pentagon tour; and Mr. George Selim ’98 for answering so many of our students’ questions in regards to national security. This was a very informative trip, and helped our students see not only what the government does in Washington, DC, but also what they themselves can do in terms of careers down the road.