Kids learn lessons from Washington

By Alyssa D. Clagg

Register-Pajaronian Staff Report

WATSONVILLE It's said to be one of the best programs in the country. "It takes students two years to prepare for the trip and what they come away with will last the rest of their lives," said Mount Madonna school teacher Ward Mailliard. Experiencing what was far from an ordinary school field trip, Mr. Madonna school juniors and seniors journeyed from the Central Coast to the nation's capitol for 10 action-packed days, interviewing 22 Washington insiders in the process. From May 15 to May 25, students went beyond the classroom and met with such national dignitaries such as congressmen, chiefs of staff, and even the President of the United States to learn personal lessons directly from the heart of government.

Through the school's Government in Action program, students dedicate their first year of preparation to understanding a value-based curriculum and searching for interviewees who are "vitally involved in trying to improve the quality of life in our nation and have the qualities of character and dedication that we want our students to emulate," Mailliard explained.

"They go through a tremendous amount of research on each individual to be interviewed to create the groundwork necessary to direct purposeful and meaningful questions," he added. "The students want to learn people's intentions, goals and in essence, how they got where they are today ­ what type of character does it take to get to the top - what kind of passion and dedication." The second year of preparation includes the study of the language and processes of government, so the students were prepared for the hectic schedules of political officials.

"I never imagined that a congressman could make me cry, but Congressman John Lewis did," said senior Jenny Johnston. "I had read his autobiography, but when I heard him actually speak about his experiences, I understood on more than just an intellectual level. He said do something that will mean something to you and will mean something to the world. I though that was a great thing."

Aside from understanding the sacrifices that go along with public service, students discussed the issues with such notable as Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala, Undersecretary of State Thomas Pickering, Congressmen Sam Farr, Barney Frank, and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, and Bill Press, co-host of CNN's Crossfire. They even sat in the Rose Garden for a presidential speech and a great photo opportunity with Bill Clinton himself.

The students received a lesson in international affairs when they met with Theresa Loar, Director of the President's Interagency Council on Women, which is an organization that fights for human rights all over the world. In addition, students conducted a one-on-one with Dan Sakura, Chief of Staff for the Vice-Presidents Council on Environmental Quality, and Nancy Hendry, General Counsel to the Peace Corps.

The students' interviews are also helping to build a library of interviews and information to be shared with other students so they may reflect on lessons learned. "A lesson I leaned from the Washington D.C. trip is that even if someone is saying something that you disagree with, you still try and take the good in what they're saying and apply it to how you think as opposed to just seeing it as negative," said junior Date Branciforte.

For eleven years, the program has cultivated students interested in politics and eager to experience the heart behind real government. "I was inspired by our meeting with Melanne Verveer, Hillary Clinton's Chief of Staff. It was incredible to be in the Roosevelt Room right next to the Oval Office, and interviewing such an important person," said senior Jahmin Lerum. "You always try and do something your best, but you can't forget there is always going to be a better way to do it nest time. So you must keep striving."

Mailliard, who is also program coordinator, said many of the politicians were so impressed with the students that extra interview time and opportunities were given. "It's basically about learning a life lesson rather then a political lesson, "Mailliard explained. "It's kind of a rite of passage that comes from discipline and hard work."

A documentary of the students experience can be found on the school's website at www.mountmadonnaschool.org . Interviews between students and notables can also be heard on the site as well as a diary of photographs.