This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Marin Catholic Juniors Journey to Washington D.C.!

Seventeen Marin Catholic juniors venture to Washington D.C. for a one week study program to learn more about politics and explore D.C. Here's what we did.

On a very early, foggy morning in late January, 17 Marin Catholic juniors gathered at San Francisco International Airport to board a plane to Washington, D.C. With bags fully packed, tickets in hand, and anticipation brewing deep within the pit of our stomachs, we embarked on a journey we would never forget.

We arrived in Virginia on Sunday, January 29th. Anxiety was a prominent feeling as we made our way to the hotel to meet our roommates and the rest of the program. Close-Up, the program that gave us this amazing opportunity, sees high schoolers all over the country participate. Kids from Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania and Nebraska also roomed with us and participated in Close-Up during our week. We were welcomed with a banquet and immediately began working in our first workshop of the program. Before bed, we took a quick trip to the Iwo Jima Memorial. I have to say, it was pretty amazing especially in the dark.

Day One was exhilarating, but we were all ready for our first full day of studying in Washington, D.C. We started off our morning visiting the gargantuan Thomas Jefferson Memorial and then journeyed over to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial. Both were amazing windows into the history of our country. We then went to the fairly new Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and enjoyed every bit of it. The view was amazing as well as the glorified sculpture carved into Martin Luther King Jr.'s face.

Find out what's happening in Larkspur-Corte Maderawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The next stop was the Smithsonian Museum of American History where we saw Dorothy's Ruby Red Slippers, Michael Jackson's Hat, the original Muppets, and the actual flag that inspired the Star-Spangled Banner. However, the long day was not over yet. After viewing the facade of the White House, our bus was headed for the Dupont Neighborhood. Here, we were given an hour to explore the urban life and see how private businesses play a large role in diversifying society. We got to shop around while taking notes in our workbooks.

Day Two came to a close as we welcomed Day Three with a warm embrace. Starting off the day in Capitol Hill, we got a close-up view of the Capitol Building as well as the Supreme Court building and the Library of Congress. We then ventured to Lincoln Park to view the legendary sculptures of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Mcleod Bethune. Exposure to these wonderful works of art was essential for what was yet to come during that day. The WWII Memorial was next, and after that, the Lincoln Memorial. The Lincoln Memorial was one of my favorite places we explored during the trip. Everything seemed so surreal once we arrived. I never knew how big the place actually was until I was standing in front of Lincoln. Nestled next to the Lincoln Memorial is the Korean War Memorial as well as the Vietnam War Memorial.

Find out what's happening in Larkspur-Corte Maderawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Each and every place we visited on Tuesday was amazing and gave us a better awareness of how important faith is in our daily lives. At night, all the workshops got together for a huge mock Congress debate on local issues. It was here where I went out of my comfort zone and took a leap of faith in understanding more on federal involvement. I was the Committee Chair, and I'd never been more challenged in my life then when I had to make that speech in front of 60 other strangers.

Day Three was a blast, but little did we know that the best was yet to come. Day Four, Wednesday, brought tremendous opportuniy. Reconvening with our group of MC individuals, not the workshops we had been previously grouped in consisting of kids around the country. We put on some comfy shoes and took the metro to Capitol Hill. Wednesday was by far the most walking I've ever done in one day. We kicked off the day at the Archives of the U.S.A. by seeing the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

We then met two representatives for Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein. We were able to ask them questions that we had formulated prior to visiting. We then met Lynn Woolsey, our California Representative. I had her say "Go Cats!" in a video which just about made my week complete. We went from Lynn Woolsey's office to a private tour inside the Capitol Building. Everything seemed like a dream.

We wrapped up the day with dinner at Union Station, but we still had a couple of stops left. We visited the Georgetown neighborhood and I had one of the fabled DC Cupcakes! We then saw the rear of the White House, the Air Force Memorial, the JFK Opera House and the Albert Einstein Memorial. What a day!

Thursday was a more mellow day. We visited the National Gallery of Art and saw DaVinci's only piece displayed in America. We then went back to the Smithsonian Museum of American History and explored more. It was on this day that we also went to U Street and gained a deeper understanding of what life was like in D.C. during the civil rights movement. Thursday was our last night as a Close-Up community, so the program gave us kids our very own dance in the gorgeous hotel ballroom. Goodbyes were bittersweet. We were all excited to go home to our families, but no one wanted to leave each other's sides.

Friday, before boarding the plane home, we (all the MC kids) visited the Holocaust Museum. This was by far the most moving place I think I have ever been to. The images I saw in that museum are some I will take to my grave with me. The faces of terror will forever be in the back of my mind. On our walk back to the metro station from the Holocaust Museum, we were lucky enough to witness President Barack Obama drive by. That was a pretty cool scene, I must say.

Again, leaving Washington D.C. was bittersweet. I made lasting friendships on this trip that I can say I will remember for the rest of my life. This one week was so important and had such an impact on opening my eyes to my place in society and in politics. I once thought politics were too complicated to understand and always accepted I wouldn't ever get it, but now, all of that is different. This trip was truly amazing. It was truly a trip of a lifetime. We will forever be Close-Up 2012!

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?