OC CloseUp Travels To Washington D.C.

Written By Pammela Maxwell - Interviews with Pammela Maxwell and Dan Roeber.

The Clearwater-Orchard Close-Up group spent the week of April 2-8 in Washington, D.C., where they were able to meet new friends from different states, learn more about the United States government, see some of the most well-known sites, and make some unforgettable memories. 

To start the week, the 13 students from OC were acquainted with the 250 other students from ten other states. Each student was split up into workshops in which they would be spending the rest of the week learning about the capital. These workshops enabled each student to make new friends and receive more insight on the monuments and memorials throughout the week. 

On Monday, the students began their first study visit by visiting three faces of democracy: the Jefferson Memorial, FDR Memorial, and MLK Memorial. Each memorial was unique in its own way and portrayed how much each individual impacted America. To finish the day, the students spent time in the Smithsonian American History Museum, stopping to remember the victims of 9/11 at the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial. The 9/11 Memorials were specifically eye-opening for the students because it truly showed how much this event affected many individuals and how it still does today.

Tuesday, the students started their day with study visits to multiple war memorials including WWII, Vietnam, and Korean Memorials. Each of these memorials reflected on the importance of the sacrifices that were made for America. One of the group’s many stops was to the Lincoln Memorial where they reflected on what the imagery of the Lincoln Memorial and what it said about Lincoln’s legacy. 
To finish off the day, the students stepped out of their comfort zone and held a mock congress in which they were able to voice their opinions in debate, amend and then finish by voting on issues that elected representatives are currently considering. 

“Throwing several kids into a rooms with others they’re not comfortable with and debating on controversial issues is something that one might believe to be unsuccessful, but in the end we had no problem voicing our opinions,” said Pammela Maxwell, Clearwater-Orchard senior.

On Wednesday, the students began the day by joining Nebraska’s state representatives in the longest standing breakfast. After they listened in on the representative’s views, Adrian Smith took the time to take the students to the Floor of Representatives. 
It was there that they were able to get a personal intake on everything that happens during a meeting. 

“Being able to sit in the chairs on the floor was an experience that most can not say they have done, and we are very grateful that we were given this opportunity,” Maxwell said.

Thursday, students finished up the week of the CloseUp program by visiting the Arlington National Cemetery. It was there that they had the opportunity to witness the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Although it had been downpouring, it added to how truly amazing it was to witness the changing of the guards despite the weather or conditions. Students were able to witness the dedication and how much of an honor it is for each of the soldiers to honor the ones who have died for their country.

The students then carried on to visit the White House, and afterward studied some of the neighborhoods in the area to compare them with their own neighborhoods and see what improvements could be made. 

“The Close-Up program had given each of us an opportunity to have an insight into the educational points of view in Washington D.C. and how many of these well-known sites reflect on the impact of many on our nation,” said Dan Roeber, the History and Physical Education teacher at Clearwater-Orchard who acts as the sponsor for Clearwater-Orchard’s CloseUp program.

“This is my second year as a sponsor. I love it because it gets the students in the process of government more,” Roeber said.