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Students from DeSoto and Red Oak describe civic learning from Close‑Up Washington trip
Summary
High school students who attended the Close‑Up Washington program told the Glenn Heights council about mock‑congress exercises, meetings with senators' staff, and personal growth; chaperones recommended a local civic academy and better chaperone‑student travel coordination.
Students from DeSoto High School and Red Oak High School presented reflections on a Close‑Up Washington, D.C. civic immersion program, describing increased confidence, new civic skills and encounters with staff of federal elected officials.
Avianne Moore (DeSoto), one of the student speakers, said the program offered public‑speaking opportunities and broad exposure to other states and viewpoints. "Growth is completely optional when there's opportunity," Moore said. Several students noted the challenge of being a minority group in certain settings and suggested program adjustments to improve logistics, such as coordinated student‑chaperone travel.
Chaperones from DeSoto and Red Oak schools thanked the council for supporting the program and encouraged the creation of a local civic academy to teach municipal government functions. DeSoto's instructional lead said the trip was a strong civic and educational experience and recommended deeper local civic engagement programming for both students and residents.
