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Six SPHS students recently took a trip to Washington, D.C. and New York City, made possible through the Close Up Foundation – a non-profit educational program for students. The participants are (l-r): Pamela Abda, Mychaela Lewis, Brianna Villavicencio, Eleanor Stephenson, Jessica Arenas, Jayde Reyes, and Jill Goforth (teacher).
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SPHS students travel to Washington, D.C.
May 20, 2015
By Brian D. Wilson
Santa Paula News
Six SPHS students recently took a trip to Washington, D.C. and New York City.
The trip was made possible through the Close Up Foundation – a non-profit educational program for students. Close Up’s flagship high school Program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students to experience their government in action. From visits to Washington’s famous monuments, memorials, and institutions, to meetings with their Congressional delegation on Capitol Hill, Close Up students get a first-hand look at the American political system and consider what role they, as students, play in our democracy.
Close Up is not just a tour, nor is it a series of lectures. Close Up takes what students learn in the classroom and brings it to life.
The cost for each girl was $2701.00. All of the girls worked, did fund raising, and received tax-deductible donations to pay for their tuition.
Senior Briana Villavicencio said that, at first she didn’t want to go but a friend encouraged her to make the trip. Her biggest memory from the trip is the new people she met and new ideas. One person she met was a student from Idaho. She added, “He thought Californians were different from how we were. It opened his eyes to how we saw the world.”
SPHS teacher Jill Goforth said she first got involved with Close Up when she taught at Buena High School. She started taking student to DC in 2010. This is first year at SPHS and she brought the program with her. She said, “It’s important to get students out of the classroom.”
Senior Eleanor Stephenson said what she liked best was how close they got with everyone. Jessica Arenas made the trip to Washington in the 8th grade, but said she found this trip “refreshing.” This was the first time for Jayde Reyes to make this trip. She called it “An awesome experience.”
