Ward Melville High School’s Student Government, along with advisers Virginia Edgar, Allison Kane and Dianne Kraemer, explored Washington, D.C., as part of the group’s Leadership Development initiative.

With the help of Congressman Lee Zeldin, the students were given a tour of the U.S. Capitol building before visiting the Air Force, FDR, Jefferson, Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr.,  Korean War, Vietnam War, WWII and 9/11 memorials. The group also passed a somber and reflective moment at Arlington National Cemetery, where they watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They also had a chance to visit the Newseum, seeing firsthand historical pieces like a section of the Berlin Wall with a guard tower looming behind it.

“It was a great trip for our students as they were able to experience government in action and have become excited for so many opportunities in the future,” Ms. Kraemer said.