For this to be my second time going on this trip, I sort of knew what to expect. That being said, this trip also had some new aspects of it. One of the more noticeable new aspects is the 2025 Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump. I have never been to a presidential Inauguration and even though I feel like I didn’t get the full experience due to it being moved inside for the first time since 1985. I was a little down but it was still cool to witness. 

Another thing that we did that was new was we got to sit in the House of Representatives. We were supposed to watch a House Session take place but the Representative had just left for lunch so that was a bummer, but still cool. We also got to go to the top of the Lincoln Memorial and see the view from there. 

One thing that I did enjoy was re seeing iconic historic memorials and even new ones too. I got to see memorials for the second time like the Lincoln Memorial, the different war memorials as well as different museums. I saw new museums like the African American Museum of History and Culture and even the Holocaust Museum. 

This was my first time traveling with the school and with the Close Up program and I loved it. It was a great learning experience with a good mixture of exploration of the city and learning about political efficacy. 

During our time on this trip we visited important monuments such as the Washington monument and the Iwo Jima memorial. We learned so much about the past of our country and how it affected the main three pivotal points ( Justice, Equality, and Liberty) which helped us get involved in DC rather than just viewing the monuments but just how they promoted the pivotal points. For example, when we visited the FDR memorial he represented equality with his plan of the new deal. It taught me so much more than what you originally know. 

Another great part of this trip was making new friends from across the country. On this close up trip we had students from California, Georgia, Chicago, and Utah.  I got the opportunity to meet new friends from my own state and school and also to hear the experiences of people from all over which I think was a heavy factor of the trip.

One key thing we learned while in DC is about how it is okay to feel uncomfortable. One of the instructors, Andre Keenan, taught us about how not everyone is gonna have the same views as you and that it is okay to feel uncomfortable and argue but not to hurt each other’s feelings over different values. 

My favorite part of the trip is when we went to the capitol and got to see the old supreme court and being able to go into the house chambers and senator’s office buildings. It has always been my dream to become more involved in politics and just being able to see the work and the people we elect themselves made me so happy and kind of nervous.

Overall, This was the best trip ever and I wouldn’t want to change it for the world. It made me realize just how involved we could get as kids not only in our local government but our federal government as well.  

Traveling alone to another country was pretty nerve-wracking, especially navigating the airport. I had to stay alert just to make sure I made it through and kept everything with me. Finding people who helped me step out of my shell and overcome my fears of being far from home made this trip so much more meaningful. Their support truly allowed me to embrace the full experience.

This trip taught me so much—first, to not judge one side of a story before hearing the other; second, that just because someone has different political views doesn’t make them wrong; and third, that I shouldn’t be afraid to share my own thoughts, even if they might invite judgment.

Throughout the trip, I took part in workshops and discussions that deepened my understanding of the American government and what it means to be civically engaged. The trip also encouraged teamwork and collaboration as we explored the city and reflected on our experiences together. My favorite site of the trip was our private tour of the Capitol. It was amazing to get an inside look at how everything in the Capitol functions to keep the government running smoothly.

Ultimately, the Close Up trip didn’t just broaden my knowledge of U.S. history and government, it brought not only a sense of responsibility to stay informed and actively engage in my own community but a funner side to politics and all that I can do to get involved.