Junior Class Explores Leadership and Citizenship in Washington, D.C.

The Junior Class trip to Washington, D.C., provided a powerful opportunity for students to connect with the grade's leadership and citizenship theme and to deeply explore the content and themes in our U.S History courses. The students began their journey by exploring several Smithsonian Museums, including the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of Asian Art, the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Hirshhorn Museums. These museums offered a chance to engage with the cultural artifacts that reflect the nation's rich history and diversity that has shaped our culture. Each visit helped students deeply appreciate how historical figures and movements have influenced our national identity, encouraging them to think critically about their roles as storytellers, creators, and leaders. After fun, community-building dinners, the evening tour of the war and presidential memorials allowed students to reflect on the sacrifices made by past leaders and citizens in the pursuit of freedom and justice. 

Students also had the opportunity to engage in a thought-provoking session with Professors Cynthia Miller-Idriss and Mark Harkins of American and Georgetown Universities, who discussed their areas of research and shared their insights on civic education, leadership, citizenship, government, and the importance of active participation to collectively build a healthy society.  The trip ended with a visit to the People's House, an interactive space where students were able to literally picture themselves in the Oval Office, sit in the situation room, or take a seat at a state dinner during key moments in our nation's history, and take virtual tours of the public rooms of the White House throughout history and explore the provenance of art, decor, and furniture. We walked the large block around the Eisenhower Executive Building, the White House, and the Treasury Building and took our final pictures of the monuments across the Ellipse before heading back to Pennsylvania. Experiences like these reinforce Moravian Academy's commitment to fostering engaged, thoughtful leaders ready to make a difference in their communities and beyond.