BHS Closeup Class Takes on D.C.

Every year the Close Up class visits Washington DC. This year is no different. The first round of Close Up students left Sunday March 8th, and returned the 13th. The organizer of the Close Up class is history teacher, Michelle Holowicki. Holowicki puts countless hours and days into planning for the trip.

“The purpose of the D.C . trip is to give the students an opportunity to feel like the city of Washington DC is their classroom,” Holowicki said.

She wants her students to get a real view of what they have been learning in the classroom. It also gives the students a real feel of what it is like in the day to day life of a politician in Washington D.C.

“The students get to see policies being made and have a better understanding of current events going on in the world,” Holowicki said.

The difference between this year’s close up trip and last year is that it really remains the same for the most part. The only change from last year is that the students used to have a free day on Thursday but it is now changed to a scheduled day where the students follow a detailed schedule with their group touring the city.

There are struggles associated with the trip for both student and teacher. For the teacher and Closeup chaperone, Michelle Holowicki there is endless preparation that does into the trip. There is a ton of work involved in planning a trip to DC which includes setting up meetings with representatives, booking the hotels, and also having all the food for the students planned out. For the students it is hard missing an entire week of school. There is a lot of learning and homework to make up when school resumes. Also for the students that are going to Washington DC in April, the trip is around the same time as more junior testing. This is always a lot of stress on the students that are go in April. Also in April Congress is on vacation so the Closeup trip then will take more of a Supreme Court focus for the trip.

A popular site on the students free day in Washington DC is the National Archives which is home of the US Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Other hot spots consist of the National Zoo and Ford’s Theatre which is where the 16th President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. All of these places are all good tourist attractions in the countries capitol and all of the Closeup students enjoyed exploring them when they had free time.

Students who went on this trip have made some great memories and met some new friends that will last a lifetime during their Close Up trip.

“My favorite part was meeting people from all parts of the country and learning how different their daily life was from ours,” former Close Up student Tyler Trish said.

The teachers who chaperone these class trips also have made some very warm memories in Washington DC and learned a lot of new things about the country along with the students.

“ One of my favorite memories was when Congressman Mike Rogers brought the class up on the Speaker’s Balcony at the Capitol,” Holowicki said.

The Closeup class gives students a chance to use their voice and become effective in politics. Closeup is a year long class that is filled a years worth of information about government and the United States. All Closeup students are juniors who are excited to learn more about their political opinions and grow as political figures. The Closeup trip is a requirement for these students.

“ Close Up is a great experience where you meet new people and talk about government issues,” junior Matt Bertoia said.