Lessons from Washington, D.C., trip expand beyond history for students

Growing up in a rural community, many students rarely have a chance to explore the world and the diversity it offers.

For a group of students from Lind-Ritzville High School, a recent trip to the nation’s capital helped teach them about the opportunities that are out there, and all they have to do is take a risk and believe in their own abilities.

The journey began from a conversation about the potential to show students the opportunities for their future, and to encourage them to see a bigger picture. U.S. Wheat Associates Chairman and Ritzville resident Mike Miller helped start the conversation during a presentation to a class of junior and senior students at LRHS.

Angalina Vallone followed up with Mike and his wife Marci to discuss the potential of a trip to Washington, D.C., while Mike was there on business.

With the ability to assist with facilitating meetings for the students, Mike agreed the trip could be beneficial, but they would need to fundraise to make the journey.

Pake Taylor, Megan Buriak, Cameron Weber, Chandler Widman, Tessa Jantz, Morgan Lane and Kallie Harder boarded a plane in March bound for Washington, D.C., for a trip that they will remember for a lifetime.

Joined by chaperones and teachers Donna Koch and Vallone, the group also included the entire Miller family.

What started as a trip to broaden horizons and experience a different cultural climate quickly developed into a trip the coordinators only dreamed could happen.

Vallone and Marci said the initial discussions revolved around tours and meeting legislators who had the time, but the students were fortunate to experience a more unique trip than any other tour group.

As the trip unfolded, Vallone said the primary tourist sites were overshadowed by the experiences the students were provided with, and how they accepted the opportunities and challenges before them.

Vallone, Koch and Marci stated the highlight of the trip for them truly was watching the students in the moment and seeing their level of engagement with the ever-changing environment around them.

The trip included visiting tourist locations and museums, but they also had the opportunity to meet with legislators at the Capital, as well as meet with officials for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and also Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents.

Along with touring the capital city, the students were also presented with a daily challenge to navigate with the resources provided.

The group also experienced drastically different events than at home, including high level security to enter buildings and trying cuisine from different cultures.

The trip also provided the students with a new perspective on life in large cities, especially at the nation’s capital.

Not only did the group see the presidential motorcade on two occasions, they also witnessed a protest and were present when the London attacks happened, and they saw firsthand the change in security measures and felt the effects of a major event.

As the trip progressed, the adults saw an evident change in the students and the way they positively reconsidered their futures.

The purpose of the trip for Vallone and Mike was to allow the students to see the opportunities in front of them, and to realize they do not have to plan every step of their future in order to find and live a successful and fulfilling life.

During one full day of the trip, the students had the opportunity to tour the Capital and meet with legislators. The group spent the most time with Congresswoman Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, who gave them a private tour of the expansive building.

Every day the students were prepped for what they would be doing, what they should wear and they compiled a list of questions for the individuals they knew they would meet. While they sat in meetings with McMorris-Rodgers, Dan Newhouse and Patty Murray, the students began to gain confidence in their questions and their abilities to conduct themselves as professional young adults.

The level of engagement from the students impressed those around them. While at first hesitant around legislators, the students quickly were engaging leaders in conversation without prompting.

While they met with legislators, the group also had opportunities to speak with the members of staff in each legislative office.

As the trip progressed, the students heard multiple stories from successful individuals who started down one career path, but changed when an opportunity was presented to them.

Mike said at this point, they witnessed the students having the realization that as juniors and seniors in high school; they do not have to have their entire future mapped out. Vallone added it showed the students to have goals, but not to be afraid to step through a door if an opportunity is presented, even if it did not follow the exact path they had planned to be on.

While at the Capital, the students also listened to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan present regarding 100 years of women serving in Congress. After the conference, the students stood at the podium before attending a reception to celebrate women in Congress.

At the reception the group continued to meet with legislators and their aides, along with an opportunity to meet Ryan.

While the students were still in awe about the chance to meet these individuals with powerful roles in the nation, the conversations they had allowed the students to begin humanizing the leaders instead of only idolizing them.

As the group continued to meet with people of importance from the USDA and the FBI, Vallone said the students thrived and began to discuss what the future could hold as they saw a new field of opportunities they had never considered.

The exposure to leaders of the nation allowed the students to see the power of their own voices and reflect on how taking an opportunity can have a life changing effect on their life.

For the adults on the trip, the whole experience was amplified by watching the students reflect and grow into respectful, professional young adults.

During the trip, students kept a daily log of their experience and they now are hoping to share their journey with their hometown community. In mid- to late April, the students will host a forum for community members to attend. They will also be attending meetings for those groups or organizations that donated funds to make the trip possible.

In the future, Vallone said she is researching ways to continue to offer an enrichment trip through the high school for students.

The trip could be a coordinated tour to a city or another country, but Vallone said the uniqueness of the Washington, D.C., trip proved they want to be able to provide students with a chance to see what opportunities are available.