Summer Experience in the Nation's Capital
The Grier Faculty members look forward to students' return at the start of the school year for many reasons that include hearing all about how the students spent their summers. Many students spend time with family and friends, travel, attend camps, work summer jobs, volunteer, and attend special educational programs, like our Cas C.
Rising Grier Senior Cas shares with us her experience with the Junior Statesmen of American Georgetown Summer School where she had the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of constitutional law, meet high-ranking government personnel, and make some great friendships.
Rising Grier Senior Cas shares with us her experience with the Junior Statesmen of American Georgetown Summer School where she had the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of constitutional law, meet high-ranking government personnel, and make some great friendships.
Cas writes:
This summer, I spent the first three weeks of July in our nation’s capital. There, I attended the Junior Statesmen of America (JSA) Georgetown Summer School! I studied Honors Constitutional Law, taught by Dr. Danny Adkison, and undertook a rigorous schedule of six-hour class, six days a week. Needless to say, I learned a lot about the United States Constitution, the Framers, and the Supreme Court. Debating workshops were also incorporated into our day. My debate coach, Mr. Dwight Podgurski, taught me how to debate in a formal setting as well as how to deliver a good persuasive speech.
In addition to the class, I had the great opportunity to participate in the Speakers Program. This program gave me a chance to meet speakers ranging from Uber to Deputy General Rod Rosenstein. Each Speaker Day brought me to a new location. On Day 1, I got to go inside the State Department. For Day 2, I toured the inner chamber of the Supreme Court and walked across the street to the Capitol Building, where I was able to sit on the floor of the House of Representatives. Day 3 brought me back to Capitol Hill, this time to the Russel Senate Office Building and Rayburn House Office Building. I was able to meet Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey and California Representative Mark Takano. Day 4 took me to different countries as I went to the Saudi Arabia Embassy and Mexican Cultural Institute, an extension of the Mexican Embassy. Day 5, the final Speaker Day, led me to the White House! I won a trivia game and met several members of President Trump’s staff, including at-the-time Deputy White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
This was an experience I am truly grateful to have had. I made new friends that I will not forget while simultaneously making connections with Washington insiders. This was an opportunity that I would strongly recommend to anyone interested in making a difference. As JSA would say, this is a chance to be the people. A chance that I am so happy I took.
Thank you, Cas, for sharing your experience and your photos! Teachers and administrators are looking forward to Opening Weekend and trading stories with students of how they spent their summers. Information about the 2017 Opening is now available for parents, teachers, and students in myGrier.
Follow us on Facebook for more news and photos!
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This summer, I spent the first three weeks of July in our nation’s capital. There, I attended the Junior Statesmen of America (JSA) Georgetown Summer School! I studied Honors Constitutional Law, taught by Dr. Danny Adkison, and undertook a rigorous schedule of six-hour class, six days a week. Needless to say, I learned a lot about the United States Constitution, the Framers, and the Supreme Court. Debating workshops were also incorporated into our day. My debate coach, Mr. Dwight Podgurski, taught me how to debate in a formal setting as well as how to deliver a good persuasive speech.
In addition to the class, I had the great opportunity to participate in the Speakers Program. This program gave me a chance to meet speakers ranging from Uber to Deputy General Rod Rosenstein. Each Speaker Day brought me to a new location. On Day 1, I got to go inside the State Department. For Day 2, I toured the inner chamber of the Supreme Court and walked across the street to the Capitol Building, where I was able to sit on the floor of the House of Representatives. Day 3 brought me back to Capitol Hill, this time to the Russel Senate Office Building and Rayburn House Office Building. I was able to meet Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey and California Representative Mark Takano. Day 4 took me to different countries as I went to the Saudi Arabia Embassy and Mexican Cultural Institute, an extension of the Mexican Embassy. Day 5, the final Speaker Day, led me to the White House! I won a trivia game and met several members of President Trump’s staff, including at-the-time Deputy White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
This was an experience I am truly grateful to have had. I made new friends that I will not forget while simultaneously making connections with Washington insiders. This was an opportunity that I would strongly recommend to anyone interested in making a difference. As JSA would say, this is a chance to be the people. A chance that I am so happy I took.
Thank you, Cas, for sharing your experience and your photos! Teachers and administrators are looking forward to Opening Weekend and trading stories with students of how they spent their summers. Information about the 2017 Opening is now available for parents, teachers, and students in myGrier.
Follow us on Facebook for more news and photos!
Grier School
2522 Grier School Rd. | P.O. Box 308; Birmingham, PA 16686-0308
Phone: 814-684-3000 | Fax: 814-684-2177
Phone: 814-684-3000 | Fax: 814-684-2177
