Day Three: The White House

Day Three brought the busiest day of our trip.  With an early visit to The White House, a meeting at Capitol Hill, and a tour of the Pentagon, we were constantly on the move!  

Our hotel was just 2 blocks from The White House, so we were able to walk there for our 7:30am tour.  Security was tough, but we all made it through!  

The White House tour was self-guided, allowing our large group to break up and see everything at our own pace.  

Tier II graduate, Leah Badillo reflected on the experience. “Through the Washington, DC experience, I had the privilege to be amongst such great leaders which have been in my shoes and the ones who have gone before us have left a path for each of us. The life we are given may not come easy but we are all chosen to make our own path and leave a legacy as leaders... History continues to change; we can be the reason for the right change… Those among me this week, have shown me how great it is to have such wonderful friends and mentors that I can connect and network with. I really enjoyed getting to know my fellow colleagues. I know each of us will make a difference, not only in our community but in our future community. I am so thrilled to see where not only I will be, but where each one of us will be in the future.” 

Day Two: Arlington National Cemetery and the Smithsonian Museums

For the Washington DC Experience, the 25 SLI Scholars who attended have been broken up into "work groups".  Each work group will take a turn leading a day during the trip, to include providing direction on transportation, options for meals, and general information about each of the days' activities.  Leading a group of 30 throughout the streets and public transportation of Washington, DC took many hours of preparation. 

For Day Two, we had the honor of visiting Arlington National Cemetery. Some of our group chose to take the tram on the tour throughout the cemetery, ending at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Others opted to enjoy the beauty of the cemetery by walking to the Tomb. Together, we had the opportunity to experience the Changing of the Guard.  

"I found beauty in the arrangement of all the tombstones of the cemetery. These soldiers contributed to the glory and success of America today. This is their legacy. Everybody leaves a legacy when they die, only that some legacies are greater than others. Now a question for myself as a leader is, will I leave a common legacy that is common and similar with everyone else’s or will I leave a legacy worthy of a monument?" contemplates Ranel Bautista. 

Hannah Mahaffey had the opportunity to find her grandfather's tombstone.  "The most meaningful part of the Washington, DC Trip for me was getting to pay my respects to my grandparents at Arlington National Cemetery. My Grandpa Mahaffey was a World War II Purple Heart recipient. He was injured in the war and my grandma was his nurse. They fell in love and have been together up until her death. Her urn was placed in his casket so they will be together forever. I didn't get to say goodbye to either of my grandparents when they died, so this trip gave me closure. This was a once in a lifetime trip and on a personal level I had the chance to say goodbye to my grandparents and honor their memory."

With only a half day to explore the Smithsonian Museums, the group split up and visited the museum that they were most interested in.  One group explored the National Air and Space Museum.  Everyone agreed that more time is needed to see the museums.

One of today's leaders, Miguel Dutson, shared, "It was exhilarating to decipher the MetroRail,  a system I was not familiar with considering I've lived in San Antonio my whole life. I found that people are not born leaders, but must be put in such situations that force them to take charge and effectively finish a task. The D.C. trip will remain in my heart and mind as a starting point where my real life leadership skills were formed."  Miguel and his team proved that they are learning to be proactive, productive and effective leaders today! 

Day One: Mount Vernon

Upon our arrival to Washington DC, we travelled to Mount Vernon to see the home of George Washington.  What a spectacular place!  Overlooking the Potomac River, the mansion and gardens sit on 500 acres today.  But in Washington's time, the grounds reached across 8,000 acres.  

We had a tour of the mansion... So amazing to be able to say that we stood where George Washington once stood.  And hit our heads on the same stairs that the 6'2" President hit his head! 

Photography inside the mansion is not permitted.  But we saw what was the original 4 room house and much of the expansion that Washington had built.  You can take a virtual tour through the the Mount Vernon website, www.mountvernon.org. 

Without a doubt, Washington left quite the legacy for us.  His political prowess helped to form a great nation and set the course for great leaders throughout history.  

Day One: Flying to Washington DC

What a day!
Bright and early at the airport!

Ranel Bautista shared, "25 students of the Student Leadership Institute were chosen to participate in The Washington DC Experience. We are visiting different historical places to learn from the national leaders.  Along the way, we will also have the opportunity to hear from some of today's leaders, and, of course, have lots of fun!  Each day is being led by a different group of student leaders. 

This trip is a great chance sharpen my leadership skills in a new setting and learn to synergize with other leaders with different skill sets." 

Once we landed and checked in at the hotel, we quickly loaded onto a charter bus to travel to Mount Vernon to see George Washington's home. 

The Washington DC Experience

The Alamo Colleges Student Leadership Institute (SLI) continues to provide the program capstone known as the Washington, D.C. Experience for a cohort of student leaders.

This five day/four night leadership experience requires student leaders to be actively engaged on several levels – in a large group setting, in small groups, and individual reflection.

Participants will:

• Be able to integrate their experiences into their leadership development process
• Demonstrate leadership strategies and practice new ways of exercising leadership, whether in a leadership role or as a member of a group

To capture every participant’s DC experience, the SLI Journal will be created and posted electronically.