Last week, 60 seniors traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Close Up field trip. Close Up is a foundation that brings high school students from across the country to the nation’s capital to expose them to diverse perspectives, witness history in person, and engage in workshops and mock Congress sessions that encourage political involvement.
Throughout the week, my peers and I completed a scavenger-hunt-style assignment for our U.S. Government classes. At each site, we took notes, answered questions, and made observations. At Arlington National Cemetery, my AP Government & Politics teacher, Ms. Valdes, had me count the number of steps taken during the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Later, at the FDR Memorial, I zoomed in to capture the wheelchair wheels at the base of the statue.
We arrived on Sunday, and because of our large class size, our group and chaperones were split between two hotels. During Close Up’s opening orientation that evening, each pair of roommates was placed into a group of about 20 students from across the country. In my group, my roommate Isa Letourneau and I met students from Puerto Rico, Arkansas, and even California.
Throughout the week, we came together to discuss issues that matter to us—college affordability, home ownership, and immigration in our communities.
One of my personal highlights was visiting the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on Monday, January 19, which happened to be MLK Day. It was inspiring to see people gathered to read the quotes etched into the walls, families walking with young children, and everyone enjoying the D.C. weather. At each memorial, our groups also discussed political efficacy and how we can translate what we learned into actionable change back home.
Wednesday was the highlight for many students. All 60 Lourdes seniors reunited for Capitol Hill Day, where we had the opportunity to meet members of the House of Representatives and observe real-life advocacy and policy discussions.
We met Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar (R–FL 27), who represents much of southeastern Miami-Dade, including downtown Miami, Coral Gables, and Miami Beach, as well as Congressman Carlos Gimenez (R–FL 28), whose district encompasses southwest Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys.
Congresswoman Salazar met with us in the Foreign Affairs Committee room, where she discussed her day-to-day responsibilities, campaigning, and answered students’ questions.
Congressman Gimenez met us in the rotunda and shared his background as a former Miami-Dade mayor and firefighter. He also spoke about how his wife, granddaughter, and many family members are OLLA graduates. He answered questions about U.S. involvement abroad, as he also serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
I returned to Miami with a renewed sense of political efficacy. I realized there is nothing stopping me from emailing my local Doral mayor about the pothole I drive over every day on my way home. Small actions can create real change.
