Sunday, January 19, 2009
Krista Smithers
Greetings from Washington, D.C.
Today the Close Up organization kicked off the day with an hour workshop session. The 250 students who are staying at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Maryland were separated into groups of around 25 people in order to choose a candidate that would run for president in the Close Up mock election. Once the candidate was chosen, they chose four other students, or mock board members, who would help them in the election race. The left over students fought to put together their own political parties by first agreeing on a statement given to us by our program instructor. After that, we learned about the Judicial Branch in government. This was definitely the most boring part of the day.
Once we arrived in DC, we visited Newseum, a new museum that opened on April 11th, 2008. Implied in its name, Newseum focuses on current events around the world. The most interesting display was on the outside of the museum where you could find the front page of newspapers published today, January 19, from around the world. Everyone thought it was particularly exciting that almost every single leading article was about our President Elect, Barack Obama.
After lunch, we visited The Mall for an hour where we saw the Vietnam Memorial, the WWII Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and the FDR Memorial.
When Albany students thought the day would end after another workshop, Ms. Hudson surprised us with tickets to the Kids Inauguration, which included live music, hosted by Michelle Obama and Jill Biden. It was especially surprising that she had received the tickets free when only military and government families were invited. At the concert artists such as Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, and Lil Bow Wow performed. Hosts such as Jamie Foxx, George Lopez, and Queen Latifah also spoke. Three days down, three days to go, one day until the Inauguration!
This sounds so exciting!!!!!!!
Haha I bet Simone is mad you got to see the Jonas Brothers!!!
Excellent article, Kris! But how could any part of being in D.C. be boring!!
I was thrilled to hear you were in DC having an experience of a lifetime. So cool Niece.
We have to celebrate Mom’s birthday when you get home and you can give us all the deets.
Auntie Pam
Krista! I am green! I’m so excited for you. Definitely a peak lifetime experience.
Love,
Linda
My Dear, dear Grandaughter: Not only was the inauguration exciting and one of historical importance, but the fact that you was there among all those people and I couldn’t find you, I had hoped one of those camera-atzis would land on you, but just to know that somewhere among the millions, you were there was very exciting. I watched the whole procedure via TV and happy to do even that. It was a privilege to have access to the event even through TV. I did get a copy of your publication to the Cougar and that also is exciting. One great event during out lives and you got to watch it from the place. I am so proud of and your journalistic talent. Keep it going. Love you —— Your Nanny
Hi Krista,
I am just now getting around to checkiing my emails. Nice work. You have a true knack for providing information while keeping it simply descriptive for those of us who did not attend. Hope to see you soon.
Lydia