Young leaders visit Washington, D.C.
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A group of Tucson middle school students recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to learn about our nation's history and develop leadership skills.
We asked the students, who were selected for the trip because of their strong academics and leadership abilities, to report back to us through photos and journal entries.
Here's what they had to say about the People to People Leadership forum:
Jackie Marlin, 12, Sonoran Science Academy: We went to the Vietnam War Memorial, a large wall engraved with names of soldiers that died, were missing in action or seriously injured. It made me think of how many people gave their lives fighting for our country. We also went to the Korean War Memorial; it was statues of soldiers wearing rags because it was so cold. It was sad.
We went to the Library of Congress. The ceiling was beautifully painted. And we went to the place where Martin Luther King gave his "I Have a Dream'' speech. It was awesome to stand in that spot of history! Today the cherry trees blossomed. There are thousands of trees that were given as gifts from the Japanese in 1912 and they are all around the Potomac River. The water and the cherry blossoms made for a beautiful picture.
Jennie Bass, 12, St. Gregory College Preparatory School: While I was in Washington, D.C., I experienced many memorial moments. The one I enjoyed the most, though, would definitely be skipping down the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, singing a song me and my new friend just made up! I don't know what made it so special. Maybe it was because I actually stood where Martin Luther King Jr. made his "I Have a Dream'' speech. Or maybe it was because Reese Witherspoon stood there in "Legally Blonde 2." But for whatever reason, it definitely ranked top 10!
My one tip would be to check the weather and bring the right clothes. Trust me, it is not the best feeling in the world to be standing where the Battle of Gettysburg took place wearing bermuda shorts while it is freezing. Remember to always expect the best. If you expect the worst of things, that's what you're going to get.
Paola Rochin, 12, Laguna Elementary School: We went to Arlington Cemetery. I saw John F. Kennedy's grave and Robert F. Kennedy's grave also. It was a very beautiful sight! I also got to see the Unknown Soldier's grave and the changing of the guard. It is a very intense procedure. They don't make any mistakes. We also saw the White House. It was amazing! I couldn't believe my eyes! It was a great first day.
Morgan Mattingly, 11, Sonoran Science Academy:
We looked at the Jefferson Memorial. He had many good quotes about freedom. After that, we went to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. It was flat, which allowed people with physical disabilities to visit.
Anthony Constantino, 12, St. Gregory: Our first stop in Washington, D.C., was the Jefferson Memorial. Our delegate manager pointed out hidden symbolism in the statue. Corn and tobacco under Jefferson's hem were crops he grew, and books symbolized his love of reading. At the Iwo Jima Memorial, our bus driver drove around the statue and pointed out the optical illusion. As you move around the statue, it looks like Marines are pulling the tipping American flag up! My favorite part was our visit to our congressman, or in my case, congresswoman! We headed off to meet Gabrielle Giffords, well, almost. She was in Tucson, so we met her assistant and had a wonderful discussion on issues in the U.S. and Arizona such as the Iraqi War and immigration.
At the Lincoln Memorial, I learned it is the only statue of the president sitting down because Washington, D.C., has a law saying no statue can be taller than Lady Liberty, on top of the Capitol building. She is 19 feet tall, and if Lincoln was standing, he'd be taller.
Valerie Schlegel, 14, Utterback Magnet Middle School: I had so much fun on the trip! My favorite activities were the spy museum and Jamestown. At the spy museum, we learned all about being a spy. We also got to see actual spy equipment!
At Jamestown, we got to see what it was like when the settlers first came. There were ships that were exactly like the ships the settlers sailed here. People were dressed up like people from that time and explained what it was like.
Meridith Mattingly, 11, Sonoran Science Academy:
We had a lot of fun going to Williamsburg and Jamestown. We learned about how Jamestown was founded and the hardships they had getting settled there. In Williamsburg, we went to the blacksmith shop, the wig shop and the apothecary shop. We learned about the wigs people wore and how wigs showed your status. We learned about the life of an apothecary, which was somewhat like a doctor's. During dinner, a veteran spoke. He was very interesting. Then we went to our rooms and crashed.
Beverly Ann Bass, 14, St. Gregory: Over the week I learned a lot. I met new people and saw new things. I learned how to be a student leader and what kind of leader I am. Being around people who are the best of the best makes learning a lot easier because they are not goofing off. They are just there to learn like you.
My favorite place was the Saudi Arabian Embassy, where we saw a presentation about Saudi Arabia and ate Saudi Arabian food. I learned so much but not from the facilitators or speakers but from my peers. I got to meet someone from South Africa. He was very interesting and told us a lot about South Africa. People to People changed my life. I hope all the things I learned I will be able to pass on to my peers and friends.
Adriana Hanson, 12, Sonoran Science Academy:
We saw several memorials. The Franklin D. Roosevelt memorial has several sections, with waterfalls running at different rates to symbolize different events. We saw the Jefferson Memorial, which is a tall statue of President Jefferson under a dome with pillars. His statue is looking at the White House because he entered a contest to design the White House but he lost because the judges thought his design was too girly.
We went to the Vietnam Memorial, which was designed by an Asian girl. This is significant because at this time Asians were not well respected here.
Kyle Saxberg, 11, St. Gregory: I loved my trip with People to People, because we got to experience many different things. We got to meet new kids and see almost all of the monuments and memorials. We got to learn a lot about the monuments, like when they were made, what they were made for and who funded the construction.
I now have new friends, all over the country. Some are in California, New York and Iowa. They like the same things that I do. I was really surprised at the way the Vietnam memorial was displayed. I had no idea it was displayed like a black gash in our history. Another thing that amazed me was the Iwo Jima Memorial. I thought the artist's impression was really cool.
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