As part of their studies in American History and Civics, Waldorf’s 8th grade class went on a 3-day trip to Washington D.C. and met with Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (who represents New York’s 4th Congressional District where the Waldorf School of Garden City resides.) The congresswoman shared with the students her personal story about becoming a member of Congress and how, in 1993, she became politically active as a gun-control advocate after her husband was killed and her son was injured when a gunman opened fire on a Long Island Rail Road train.

In addition, the students and Ms. McCarthy also talked about the upcoming immigration bill, the Keystone pipeline, and hydraulic fracturing (otherwise known as “fracking”) in New York State.

During their trip, the students also visited the Newseum – the Museum of News, the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Air and Space Museum. the National Zoo and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The class also went on an open bus tour of Washington DC’s many monuments. One night, the class enjoyed an authentic Ethiopian dinner with music and dance and on another night they took-in an Oriole-Yankee baseball game at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. (The Orioles won, 3-to-2 with a home run in an extra 10th inning.)

Photo courtesy of Rep. McCarthy’s Office.

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