The Migrant Education Program took 17 students and 4 chaperones went to Washington DC from North Wasco County School District and Condon School District. They joined approximately 180 students from across the US with the Close Up Foundation. The program uses the US Capitol as a living classroom for one week. Students had workshops each day, learned how a bill becomes law, debated on topics in Congress, held mock elections for “president,” (The student who was voted “president” is from The Dalles!), met with Senators Wyden and Merkley and Legislator Bentz to ask them questions, site visits to memorials, monuments, Smithsonian Museums and more. It was a life-changing experience for them and they were incredible leaders and ambassadors of the Columbia Gorge region.
