By Eric Erickson
News analysis
Eighteen Como students, now studying AP Government and AP Economics, spent the last week of February in Washington, D.C., as participants in a national program facilitated by the nonpartisan Close Up Foundation.
This annual Como tradition brings students together from across the nation to engage in civil discourse while examining the cornerstones of our democracy. During their trip, the students visited monuments, memorials and citizen action sites, and also participated in a mock congress.
In school, Como students learn the U.S. contains a range of political ideology much wider than the halls of their St. Paul school. But during the Close Up program, the Como students had face-to-face discussions that prompted critical thinking and analysis of issues.
Students learned to articulate why they believe what they believe, gaining knowledge and skills to preserve and impact the nation’s democracy.
Students spent three days with their mixed Close Up groups touring and examining the messages of memorials such as Jefferson, FDR, Martin Luther King, Jr., Lincoln, World War II, Vietnam and Korea.
The Como group also had time to explore the Smithsonian Museums, visit Arlington National Cemetery and see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, plus stops in different Washington neighborhoods.
On Wednesday, Feb. 26, Como students experienced a memorable day on Capitol Hill. They observed the Senate Agricultural, Nutrition and Forestry Committee discussing the impact of proposed budget cuts, with Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar speaking as the Democrats’ ranking member.
After touring the U.S. Capitol and rotunda, Como students had a policy meeting with Minnesota’s other Senator, Tina Smith, who responded to their questions and concerns. Then the Como delegation visited the House of Representatives chamber for a viewing from the gallery.
Next, a brief stop in the Supreme Court allowed students to see the chamber during oral arguments, before a walk down Capitol Hill to the Rayburn House Office Building.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum, D-Minnesota, hosted a 45-minute policy meeting for the Como students in her office. She shared her views on the current situation in Washington and the federal government. Students were grateful for her insights and how she addressed their inquiries about climate change, Israel and Gaza, the actions of DOGE and education.
Eric Erickson is a social studies teacher at Como Park Senior High School and a regular contributor to the Bugle.
Photo caption: Como AP Government students with Congresswoman Betty McCollum after their meeting in her Capitol Hill office. Photo courtesy of Congresswoman McCollum’s staff.
