Student Attends Congressional Academy

Cameron Campbell is a senior at Derryfield School.

This past summer, he was one of 112 students attending the Congressional Academy for American History and Civics in Washington, D.C.

Campbell, a Bedford resident, was selected to attend the two-week program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and welcomes two high school juniors from each state, including the District of Columbia, and 10 additional students.

The academy focuses on the Declaration of Independence, the Gettysburg Address and, Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, and Campbell attended three daily lectures and participated in a smaller discussion group twice a day. He also took day trips to Philadelphia and Gettysburg, Pa.

"It certainly wasn't what I expected to be doing with my summer," said Campbell. "I mean, it had a final exam, three-hour classes, and at first glance it looked a lot like school. In some ways, it was - if you took a hundred kids, all the caliber of Derryfield's best and brightest and incredibly passionate about history and politics - added some brilliant professors, and mixed them together in the heart of DC to learn, debate, and experience the soul of the United States.

"I have no regrets, except that it didn't last longer. It was a demanding but amazing program that melds amazing students, amazing teachers, and amazing thought, analysis, and exploration into one package."

The academy was free, and Campbell and the other students received $500 to help offset travel expenses. They also earned three transferable college credits to Ashland University.