Como Students Get a “Close-Up” View of Their Government

March 11, 2010  
Filed under Life at Como, News, Uncategorized

       Last week, seven AP government students packed their bags and headed to Washington D.C. in hopes of learning about their government and how different people from around the country view U.S. politics. The students were chaperoned by teacher, Eric. Erickson. They were in Washington D.C. from February 28^th until March 5^th and stayed at the Key Bridge Marriot hotel which overlooks the Patomac River, along with 130 other students from around the country, including the Pacific islands of CNMI and Palau.

       Close-Up is a national organization that brings high school students from all over the United States together in Washington D.C. to study U.S. politics and government. It was founded in 1971 as a nonprofit organization that educates and inspires young people to become informed and engaged citizens.

       Some highlights of their trip included seeing monuments and museums such as the Lincoln Memorial, the Air and Space Museum, and the Washington Monument. The students enjoyed learning about the key points and events in their nation’s history, but also sharing their thoughts and beliefs with other students from all over the country. This group was privileged enough to meet with Minnesota’s Senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar, and Representative Betty Mccollum. They asked them questions about the rising cost of college tuition and the debate on the health care bill.

       After this trip, the seniors have a greater understanding of how complicated their government is, but also how beautiful and historic the district of Washington D.C. really is. They all said that they would love to return to D.C. someday, maybe even as a Senator or a Representative of their state.

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