Goodridge High School Close Up Group visits DC and NYC

The Goodridge Close Up group, which is made up of 14 students, just took a trip of a life time, traveling to Washington, D.C., and New York City. The week of April 14th-21st held many memorable moments for the group of high school students and they have shared their experience below. Harry and Deb Farris started the Close Up program a few years back with this year’s trip being their final adventure. Mr. Tomas Loberg, who also went along as an advisor, will continue to provide this opportunity for Goodridge students. 

The 14 students who attended the Close-Up trip were: Nicholas Groven, Isaac Johnson, Kansas Jensen, Shantel Horachek, Katerina Groven, Morgan Burns, Hannah Wilebski, Madi Race, Chantel Nerhus, Maloni Henrickson, Jordynn Johnsrud, Libby Johnson, Mercedes Coan and Madison Paulson. 

Sunday, April 14th - Arriving Day 

Written by Nicholas Groven and Isaac Johnson

We loaded the bus at 1:00 AM and left for Grand Forks at 1:30 AM. We arrived at the airport around 3:00 AM and left for Minneapolis around 5:00 AM. We then ate breakfast at McDonald’s while we waited for the plane to Baltimore. Once we landed in Baltimore we hopped on a bus and headed to D.C. When we arrived in D.C. we checked in with the hotel and put our bags away til’ later. Then we went out into Crystal City and went out to eat. After we finished eating we headed back to the hotel and checked in. In all this day was long and tiring. We were still super tired from staying up all night. We went to bed early, because tomorrow was going to be a long day as well.  

Monday, April 15th - Day 1 

Written by Kansas Jensen and Shantel Horachek 

On the first day of Close-Up we were not prepared for how badly our feet were going to hurt at the end of the week. To start it all off, we went to the Jefferson memorial. We were able to see his statue, and a lot of his quotes. When we were at the Jefferson memorial, we discussed how he represented liberty.

We went to FDR’s memorial next. We went to his bigger memorial, despite FDR’s wishes for a small memorial. There were four different sections in his memorial, each representing his four presidencies. His wife was also in his memorial, and his dog Fala. His memorial didn’t have any stairs so everyone could use it. His memorial represented justice, and afterwards we discussed how he had represented justice.

We proceeded to the MLK memorial next. Martin Luther King’s statue was carved into a rock. The place was enclosed by walls labeled with multiple of his most famous quotes. We discussed equality on the bus after leaving his memorial.

At the end of the day, we were able to witness a debate between a Liberal and a Conservative. It was very controversial when they discussed topics that the students asked. Topics like gun control and pro-choice or pro-life. The night was ended in a peaceful manner with everyone respecting each other’s views. 

Tuesday, April 16th - Day 2 

Written by Katerina Groven and Morgan Burns

After a long day from day 1, we were all very tired. Yet very excited. Today we were going to the White House, we were the only school who got a tour. A lot of us thought it was going to be bigger, we were all in shock, it didn’t feel like we were in the White House. After the White House we stopped at a little cafe and had breakfast. Along the way to the capital we stopped at various sites including Trump’s hotel.

When we rejoined with close-up we took a group photo at the capital. We also listened to a military seminar, then we went to the Pentagon and the 9/11 memorial. Back at the hotel we gathered in our workshop groups, there we practiced for our mock congress. In the mock congress the whole Close Up group talked about various “bills” that were created by students. There were 8 total bills and out of the 8 bills only one was passed. The one that was passed was “should state or federal have the authority to drill oil.” After that we went to bed to prepare for Capitol Hill day! We really enjoyed this Close-Up trip, we met a lot of great people, and made a lot of great friends, and we still keep in touch with some of them.

Wednesday April 17th - Day 3 

Written by Shantel Horachek and Hannah Wilebski

Wednesday was Capitol Hill Day on Close Up. On Wednesday we went to Capitol Hill and got to meet Tina Smith’s assistant at the Hart Senate Office building. We were able to ask her multiple questions about Tina Smith’s projects and political views. It was really an eye-opening experience to learn about one of our senators more personally.

One of the best parts of Wednesday was getting a tour of the US Capitol from Representative Collin Peterson’s staff. The Capitol still shows a lot of the history that has occurred in our country. We got to see the old Senate and the old Supreme Courtroom. We were able to see the crypt where George Washington was supposed to be buried, and the old House of Representatives chamber. The Rotunda was breathtaking and had a strip around the dome that shows our history progressing in time.

After we toured the Capitol, we visited the Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, WWII Memorial, and Vietnam Memorial. In the evening we went to Georgetown for supper. After that we went to DC Cupcakes for dessert. We were able to try some of D.C.’s famous cupcakes. It was a small cute shop, with a long line. The cupcakes were definitely worth the wait though, they were extremely delicious.

Thursday, April 18th - Day 4 

Written by Madi Race and Chantel Nerhus

On the fourth day in Washington D.C. our Close Up group got the chance to go and see so many interesting and breathtaking sites. These included the Holocaust Memorial Museum, the National Archives, and Arlington National Cemetery. This day was one of our favorite days because we got to see and experience a variety of things we hadn’t gotten a chance to see yet. There was a lot of walking done this day but it was sure worth it. At the Holocaust Memorial Museum we were able to learn about this tragic event through personal stories and exhibits at the Museum. At the National Archives we were able to see original copies of the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution. The last thing we did on day 4 was go to Arlington National Cemetery. Here we got to see the changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and we also were able to see a military funeral procession with horses pulling the casket. While we were at Arlington, we also visited the resting place of John F. Kennedy, along with the eternal flame. 

All of these memorials and monuments were really a lot to take in. We highly recommend Close Up to all high school students. It’s one thing to see all of these things in a picture, but to see them up close is really a whole different experience.

Friday April 19th - Day 5 

Written by Maloni Henrickson and Jordynn Johnsrud

On Friday, day 5, we had to wake up around 6 AM and have our bags loaded on the bus at 6:45 to leave for our 4 hour drive to New York City. There were 2 buses with different groups on them, everyone from Goodridge were placed on bus 2 and we all sat in the back which after about 2 hours was a bad idea as it was right by the bathroom. We arrived at NYC and while driving through our two group leaders gave us some background history about NYC and they played songs that were about the city, like the song “Empire State of Mind” by Alicia Keys. We got off the bus and they gave us about an hour to walk around and find somewhere to eat for lunch. The group of kids we were with took a long walk to Shake Shack where we ate the best burgers. After lunch we joined back with our group and we walked to Central Park and looked at some of the statues such as the Hans Christian Andersen, Alice in Wonderland, and the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain where we saw some great musicians and met some unique people who let us blow giant bubbles. After visiting Central Park we made our way to the Metropolitan Museum of Art where we spent 2 hours in this big museum where we saw all different kinds of Renaissance Art and Statues. 

Later that evening we ate dinner and made our way to the Broadway Theatre. We saw the show “King Kong.”  Most of us had never watched the movie before, but seeing it on broadway made us feel like we were watching the movie in real life! It was very interesting to watch, and there was never a dull moment. We were all mesmerized by the HUGE puppet gorilla. The play was also very fitting since we were in New York and the gorilla ends up jumping on to the Empire State Building. This was probably our favorite day out of the whole trip.

Saturday, April 20th - Day 6 

Written by Kansas Jensen and Madison Paulson

At this point we were very worn out from the days behind us, but we knew that we were going to see some of the most breathtaking and life changing places that New York City has to offer. It started off by going on a wet and windy boat ride to the Statue of Liberty and eventually to Ellis Island. It was crazy to think that many people before us came here as immigrants and this statue was the first thing they saw, showing freedom the hope of new prosperity. When back to land we then went to the Brooklyn Bridge, the famous bridge that connects Brooklyn and Manhattan. During the walk there we had the Beastie Boys music playing in our heads. We then took a road down to little Italy, where we had our very filling Italian dinner. We laughed, got very full, and even got up on our chairs and waved our napkins for a fun song that the performer sang in the restaurant. 

After dinner, we then went to one of the best spots to see all of New York the Top of the Rock. When you get to the top of the rock, all of NYC is waiting for you, this was the best and worst part. Best for getting to be there in person and to take all of it in and to be on top on New York, and the worst because we all knew that we were going to leave all of our new friends that we made throughout the week. But we have never been so homesick in our lives, and so happy to be coming home. 

Sunday, April 21st - Departing Day  

Written by Mr. Loberg

On Sunday, April 21st, we woke up at 4:00 AM and by 5:00 AM we were all loaded up on the bus ready to go to the airport. We arrived at the airport at about 5:30 and after checking in, went through security. On our first flight many of the students needed assistance getting through security, but by now they were all experienced travelers and needed no assistance at all. As I sat in the airport I reflected back to all of the wonderful memories that the students have created from the past week. Some of the highlights were going to the Holocaust Memorial Museum and talking to a Holocaust survivor, touring the White House and getting to walk out the front steps, and seeing all of New York City lit up from the top of the Rockefeller Center at night. These students also had the opportunity to network with other students from across the United States and talk about serious issues affecting our country in evening workshops. We eventually boarded the plane which took us to Minneapolis, and shortly thereafter we boarded another plane and arrived in Grand Forks.  

The 14 students that came with on the Close Up trip were an absolutely amazing group to travel with. On many occasions I witnessed them give Veterans a hug and thank them for their service while we were in Washington D.C. The sightseeing is great, but it means so much more when students realize the significance of the memorials that we were seeing. It was truly a once in a lifetime trip!