On Thursday, December 12, DeMatha’s AP Government classes took a field trip to downtown DC to visit the Capitol and Supreme Court buildings. All three AP Gov. classes were present with their teachers, Mr. Sicko and Mrs. Bright. The three classes totaled about 60 students, all seniors.
They spent five hours touring the buildings, starting with the Capitol. The students got to sit in the balcony of the Senate Chambers and then took a tour around the crypt, which is built over an empty tomb. William Jackson said that it “felt amazing to be where legislation gets reviewed and passed.” Next, the tour guide led them to the rotunda, where the students marveled at the majestic domed ceiling and beautiful paintings.
The last part of the tour was the National Statuary Hall Collection, where numerous statues donated by US states lined the walls. Historical figures such as George Washington, Thomas Edison, and Mary McLeod Bethune were all available to see. Jackson said that he “liked learning about the history of the statues, and what they represented.”
For lunch there was a large assortment of food, from pizza to beef brisket. Max Ellison said “the food was delicious” and that it was a highlight of the trip. After lunch, the group headed down to the Supreme Court Building. They were not able to go inside the actual courtroom, but they did get to take a couple steps into the old Supreme Court chamber to take pictures.
Overall, the field trip was a huge success largely in part to Mrs. Bright and Mr. Sicko, and numerous seniors expressed that this trip should continue to be held every year for the government classes.
