Close Up, a nonprofit, bipartisan organization that gives high school students a firsthand look at democracy and the federal government in Washington D.C., asserts their mission as to “inform, inspire, and empower young people to exercise the rights and accept the responsibilities of citizens in a democracy.” Every summer, thirty-six rising Seniors travel to the nation’s capital to be informed, inspired and empowered by the Close Up Program in the final week of their summer Government course.
Jesuit is one of the hundreds of high schools across the country to participate in this program.
Close Up was founded in 1971 by Steve Janger, a member of the Office of Special Services dedicated to spreading a better understanding of the government in high school students, with an initial participation of 554 students from only three states. Over the past forty-five years, the organization has grown exponentially and has now hosted over 800,000 students from all across the country.
The rising Jesuit seniors cram an entire semester of material into a mere ten class periods during the first two weeks of their summer class. They then travel to Washington D.C. for the third and final week of the class, which “gives a lot of context for what [they] learn for those two weeks in class” in the words of Mrs. Segal, one of the teachers of the course and chaperones on the trip.
The programs offered, extends much further than just monotonous lectures. Throughout their week in the District of Columbia, students partake in debates, visit an embassy and the Capitol building, and observe Congressional Committee hearings, giving a “holistic view” of democracy and the federal government.
Senior Sam Musso, who went to Washington last summer, expressed his gratitude for the variety of programs offered throughout the week, noting that “the number of different activities really helped keep me and the other students engaged and truly enjoy our time on the trip.”
Many lessons that students, who will soon turn eighteen and be able to vote, learn on the trip can help them establish their own perspective on government. When asked about the impact of the trip and programs, Mrs. Segal commented, “You get to develop your own political views in the context of how kids around you from different backgrounds might think,” reiterating the mission of Close Up.
Jesuit students on the trip have many opportunities to interact with other high school students from around the country through various social activities and even a dance on the final night of the program. The connections made have lasting effects on those who attend and can create lasting friendships.
In addition to the Close Up programs and activities, Jesuit students and faculty explore D.C. and the surrounding area. On their first day in the city, they visit the Newseum to better understand the role of media. The seniors and faculty members also visit the University of Georgetown, touring a fantastic Jesuit institution and discovering the amazing suburb of Georgetown, just outside of Washington D.C.
Additionally, those who go on the trip meet with Jesuit alumni who live in the nation’s capital and hold positions of power in the federal government, such as staffers for congressmen or clerks for judges.
Many juniors hope to attend this trip, and Abbas Hussain ’17, who expressed interest in going, remarked, “It’s a great opportunity to have hands-on, real-world experience and see how the government really works,” perfectly summarizing the purpose of Close Up’s program.
This is an incredible opportunity for any juniors who are interested in government or simply love hands-on learning. With only a few openings still available and registration ending in early February, make sure to sign up as soon as possible!
