Perham High School's Close Up delegation returned from Washington, D.C., on March 31 after a week of learning and experiencing American government from a "close up" view.
Close Up is a program that allows students to learn about government from first-hand experience. Students from all over the United States come together at the nation's Capitol to interact with each other and learn different people's perspectives.
Perham's Close Up group travels to Washington every other year. The next trip is scheduled for the spring of 2019.
The students toured many sites and memorials while in Washington, such as an embassy, Arlington Cemetery, museums and battlefields. They also spent time at Capitol Hill, meeting with their Congressman, Collin Peterson, and Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken. They also met Tim Waltz, who has announced he will be running for governor of Minnesota in the next election.
Eight students participated in this year's trip, including Morgan Hanson, Tyler Hanson, Janie Wunderlich, Jadyn Benedict, Jonathan Staebler, Nick Listrom, Ethan Siira and Hope Johnson, along with parents Jeff Siira, Rachel Staebler Lustila and Julie Listrom, and advisor Jennifer Bain. Coordinating the trip was advisor and Perham High School teacher Shelley Bunkowske, who was unable to attend the trip this year.
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