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Megan Wilson: Amazing

Amazing. This is the best way to describe one of the best trips I have ever been on. Going on a trip for my favorite class, with my favorite teacher and some of the most creative people I have ever met was an incredible experience. I was so excited to be going to the nation’s capital  to see up close some of our nation’s historic landmarks and learn about the history of written and spoken news publication.  Our nation’s newspapers, radio and TV news shows cover some of the hardest topics to write and talk about on a daily basis- and I was eager to learn more about the history of this form of journalism and how it has impacted our nation’s history. I could hardly contain my excitement the night before up until we left early last Thursday morning. I sat by some of my friends on the bus  and tried to get some sleep but was unsuccessful because of the anticipation and giddiness I was feeling.

Upon arriving, we quickly changed and had a bite to eat before heading to our first activity at the NPR studio. Not knowing much about NPR radio, my initial impression of possible boredom during this visit was fleeting as I was soon immersed in seeing where and how they record their  daily news, breaking news stories, and events going on in and around the city on the weekend. It was fun to put faces to the people’s voices that you hear on the radio but  have wondered what they actually looked like.

Our next stop was a tour of the Newseum. It was one of the most eye opening experiences of my life. This quickly became my favorite part of the trip.Throughout the Newseum was memorabilia and artifacts from important moments in history, such as a pieces of  the Berlin Wall and the World Trade Center. To memorialize the events of 9/11, there was a wall filled with headlines from the tragic event, and it almost brought me to tears. As I traveled through the museum I learned about the ins and out of journalism, how the art of storytelling in journalism can help us celebrate important moments and honor and remember somber moments , as well as how the layout and production of newspapers has changed throughout the years. We had classes at the museum that day as well, to learn about the First Amendment, Fake News and how these topics impact how newspapers, radio, and TV deliver the news to the public.

           On the last day was busy, starting with a tour of the Capitol Building. It was fascinating to see the inside of where our government representatives hold their meetings and make the laws for our country. I have seen photos of the buildings on postcards and on TV, but seeing it up close,  walking the same halls as some of our country’s presidents was remarkable . After that was one of the most surreal experiences on the trip. Next, we went to Museum of African American History. I learned some of the most devastating things about the treatment of the African Americans throughout the years.  The way the African American people were treated by their fellow citizens was heartbreaking. As we left this museum, we were headed for the last stop on our itinerary, the National Mall.  Walking around the National Mall, looking at the monuments such as the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial my mind was buzzing with my thoughts about what I saw in the museum. Later in the afternoon when we loaded onto the bus to make our way back home I was tired and ready to go home. All of the emotions I experienced and things I learned during my couple days on this trip will forever be stamped on my memory.  

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