Last month a group of Ely High school seniors and chaperones were able to experience the trip of a lifetime. The coach bus pulled out of the high school parking lot Wednesday at midnight and returned on Tuesday at three in the morning. The five days they spent in our Nation’s Capitol, Washington D.C., were filled with educational activities.

The students were welcomed in D.C. by the blooming cherry blossoms and a visit to Capitol Hill. Minnesota’s Senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar answered some student’s political questions on the steps of the Capitol building. During Al Franken’s discussion, Joe Biden’s motorcade drove underneath the stairs where the Ely seniors sat. Having the Vice President of the United States and our State Senators so close was a shock to many students, and they sat in awe. The group was then escorted on a unique tour of the Capitol building and was able to listen to discussions in The House of Representatives and the Senate. The Health Care Bill was passed during the students’ tour of the Capitol Building! The first day was an eye-opening experience for all.

The next days were filled with trips to a variety of museums and attractions. The group experienced Mount Vernon, visits to the Smithsonian Museums, a tour of Arlington National Cemetery, a tour of Gettysburg, visits to many monuments, a visit to the National Cathedral, a tour of Ford’s Theater, a trip to ESPN Zone, and a trip to the Kennedy Center to see Shear Madness. The students were given a lot of freedom and choices during the trip. Some students chose to visit the beautiful Botanical Gardens, while others took an educational tour of the National Air and Space Museum. The group was presented with a large list of activities, where they were able to be educated on our Nation’s history.

For the majority of the Ely students and chaperones, it was their first time ever seeing the Nation’s Capitol. They were all enlightened by the beautiful monuments and surroundings. For many of the group members, they were able to experience their first flight, and for some it was their first time leaving the state of Minnesota. The students will never forget hearing the Senators, having Joe Biden within feet of them, or having President Obama fly directly over their bus. This trip will never be forgotten, and all will be telling stories of their experience for years.