Disclaimer:

“The Whole World in Our Hands” with Congressman Hastings (Florida)

Dearest reader, before you begin, we must explain that whatever we manage to write, couldn’t possibly even begin to begin to capture the experience we’ve had today.

We started off the day with a Starbucks run. Yesterday we learned that the earlier triple shot lattes got into our systems, the better we work. It was our fourth day in Washington, D.C. and we were beginning to get the swing of things. I was feeling less like a tourists in the bustling city of Washington, D.C. and more like a participant of the workforce dressed in ironed slacks and a crisp blouse. Honestly, I was beginning to feel a bit over confident. But by the time we arrived at Rayburn House Office Building, I was straining my neck looking up at the large shiny buildings that hosts the Members of Congress who make so many decisions that affect our nation. I once again felt like kids in a candy store.

-Hannah Meade

Congresswoman Jackie Speier

Congresswomen Jackie Speier

Our day began with a stimulating interview with Congresswoman Jackie Speier who just began her tenure in Congress in April after a special election to replace the iconic Tom Lantos who died while still in office. New to town and in the middle of voting, she managed to take the time to meet with our group. The scale of the Rayburn Congressional Offices was intimidating up until we got to Jackie Speier’s office. It just so happened to be her birthday and balloons and flowers were bursting out of her office and lightening up the marble hallways.

From the moment she sat down, she “blew us away” with her energy and spirit. She immediately impressed us as a good-hearted woman and from her history a model of perseverance and success. She started in politics when she was just 16 years old, working as an intern in Sacramento, which helped shap her passion for public service. Having faced more challenges then can seem possible in life, she told us the only way to achieve success is to “not be afraid of taking risks or worry about the possibility of failure”. She encouraged us to think about what we would do if we knew that we would never fail, and smiled when she saw all the possibilities open up in front of us. She reminded us that “failure is not fatal” and that “failing is a part of success.” I know that in many cases, the possibility of failing is daunting and can limit what people believe they can do. Hearing Congresswoman Speier who open up to us about many of her personal disappointments, helped me realize that failure isn’t a setback but a chance to try again. Seeing her before us, talking about Domestic policy and getting ready to shake the congressional world, I thought about the challenges she has faced and how it motivated her to be fearless. She told us that “you can’t be paralyzed by fear” and “if you have passion, go for it. Don’t take the easy way, always be authentic, and follow your gut.”

-Ashley England

Congressman Jim McDermott

Congressman Jim McDermott

Jim McDermott is a man of conviction. Broadly traveled, he has been to 80 different countries, and visited India on more than 20 different trips. He has made many friends through his travels in China and has spent time living in Africa. He emphasized the importance of travel and because it creates a deeper perspective. You can only really understand how lucky Americans are when you are outside America. He believes that the lack of knowledge about other cultures and their customs, cultures and governments is one of the root causes of conflict. The only way to amend this problem is to travel to these different places and discover how they function from a personal perspective. On top of that direct communication with people is the key to building relationships around the world. “Humans are social creatures and when our communication is blocked then we lose a portion of our humanity.” Jim McDermott is a wonderfully articulate man who communicated his point quickly and coherently. He is a family man who believes it is equally important to maintain healthy relations with family as well as his global community. He stated that every day that he leaves work; he devotes his time to his family. He is in Congress to make decisions that will benefit America and his family. What’s right for America is echoed in what’s right for his family. After the listening to the sentiments of Congressman McDermott, a busy politician, it stuck me how I sometimes take my own family for granted.

-Chris Fust

“Is this your tripod!” said a tall, heavy set security guard who stood in front of me at the entrance of Longworth. I turned back to the guard and timidly said “yes.” He began a thorough search of my bag. When he realized that the tripod was in fact just a tripod, he allowed me to enter the building. The ordeal put me significantly behind the rest of the group so I had to run to catch up. While the camera and tripod bounced off my legs as I ran, I thought, “What a great start to an interview.” When I walked into Congressman Jim McDermott’s office he was waiting for us to get started. He seemed impatient, like he was by obligation, his first remark was, “I’m only doing this because Congressman Farr asked me to.” Chris asked Congressman McDermott about a picture on his wall of Gandhi, I think that he was impressed with our spontaneous. He began to warm up to us.

Through the interview he shared his wisdom using examples of his own life and his travels to Africa and Latin America, he was curious and passionate about his work. He encouraged us to travel and learn other languages so that we do not continue the American trend of ignorance. “Once you have seen the 3rd world you can’t deny what it is.”

By the end of our time together it seemed we had earned at least some of Congressman McDermott’s attention. He showed sincere interest in answering all of our questions despite his very patient assistant who was anxious to get Congressman McDermott to his next appointment. He left us with one last piece of advice; follow your passion, do what you want in life and not what others want you to do. The few minuets that we had with McDermott opened my mind, and solidified what had been told to us in numerous ways and through many different sources. The message is to learn about other cultures and realize that despite having different languages, cultures and religions, we are all connected.

-Bodhi Shaffer

Dennis Moore – On the Steps of the Capitol

Mike Larson, Congresswomen Jackie Speier Scheduler

I was wishing I could have a chance casual conversation with some members of congress while we were on the steps of the Capitol Building. Amita and I were inspired by Jim McDermott’s advice to, “not wish you could do something, do it!” We summoned our courage and spoke to Dennis Moore from Kansas’s 3^rd District. We approached him, not knowing who he was or what we would say to him. In the end, Ward had to drag us away from our conversation with a man clearly filled with passion and dedication to his job. As he spoke to us about the bills he sponsored regarding the soldiers in the Iraq war, he was swelling with emotion and it was obvious he really cared about what he was doing. When asked about his motivation, he pulled out his Blackberry and showed us a picture of his grandson. It was great to see someone with such dedication to public service with genuine motivations.

-Camille Schwartz

Unfortunately, our interview with Congressman Sam Farr was cut a bit short because he had to rush down to the floor of the House to vote. The buzzers started going off at 10 minutes before the vote and he left with less than 3 minutes. He delayed to the last second. I am sure he has it timed perfectly form long practice. However, for once “time was not everything” because even in those few short moments, he shared some really important points. He said, “Life is about empowering people”, and clearly this is how he engages with the world. His aim as a Congressman is to give his constituents the ability to say what they want from the government and make sure it happens. It was a boldly unselfish statement that really affected my heart. If we all lived just to empower others, we could create a world where everyone believes in themselves and their potential. A world where people know and reach for their capabilities is a beautiful idea where anything is possible. His other piece of advice that connected as first steps in creating a better world was to, “Find what’s broken so that you can fix it”. We must identify and pinpoint the issues so that we can work towards finding solutions. So, to change the world, we must first understand the importance of the individual and then as Sam told us, “give something back” by working towards fixing the broken pieces of society. And what was Congressman Farr’s advice for taking this on? “Just follow your hearts” because “you are all going to make it.” I felt empowered.

-Shelby and Shashi

“Uncle Sam”

The one two punch of Congressman Sam Farr and his very skillful scheduler Tom Tucker has opened many doors for the Mount Madonna students over the years. Sam’s trust in the students to engage in a meaningful way with his colleagues in the House is a trust that we cherish and protect. It is also an act of the “empowerment” that Sam talks about with the students. The access that they have earned and been granted in Washington, D.C. says that, yes they are worthy of the time of busy and important people, and that they are valued for who they are right now. Congressman Farr has conferred both a blessing and a challenge on these students. The blessing of access is the opportunity and the challenge is to live up to what he knows they can do. He is a mentor of the first rank.

I have also noticed Congressman Farr is liked or even loved by just about everyone we meet on Capitol Hill. I think it fair to say just about everyone who meets Congressman Farr gets the feeling that he cares personally about who they are and what they need, and that is because of the simple truth that he does! I think the Congress is a better more civil place because people like Congressman Farr are there. His authentic and caring personality and his deep commitment to providing for the basic needs of the people he serves, namely “a decent place to sleep, access to medical care and an education” seem to be at the core of everything he does. This may not make the evening news often, but it definitely helps the work of fixing what is broken in our society. I have come to refer to Congressman Farr affectionately as “Uncle Sam,” I think it fitting both in terms of the sense of family that has developed between Sam and my students and emblematic of the national icon of Uncle Sam who personifies the values of what make this a great country.

-Ward Mailliard

Congressman Sam Farr

Having finished our somewhat shorter that unusual, yet wonderful interview with Congressman Sam Farr, we exited the Longworth House Office Building and at our teachers suggestion headed up the street towards the Capitol. The interview had ended due to a call for a vote in the House. Mr. Mailliard explained that if we waited by the Capitol steps we could see most of the Members of Congress coming down the steps after the vote. We gathered at the steps, watched the heavily armed guards look at us with expressionless faces, and waited. Finally the members of Congress to pour down the front steps like I had seen in so many news reels.

They proceeded to travel in different directions like a colony of bees exiting their hive. We spotted Congressman John Lewis and decided to say hello. Congressman Lewis is man of amazingly charm. “I can’t wait to see you next week!” I was astonished at how easy it was for us to stop legislators and talk to them. It made me realize that these people weren’t superstars, they weren’t the same pundits we saw in the news, they are people who representing us. Congressman Ed Purlmutter of Colorado actually started to interview me! He asked what my values were, and I was almost too shocked to respond. After quickly reciting the three pillars of Mount Madonna School he continued to eat his Klondike and ask us about our Values program.

My conversation with him made me realize that this city wasn’t some sort of impenetrable fortress that all the security makes it out to be. The way to crack this city, is with courage, preparation, charm, and a little bit of luck.

-Jasbir Nijor

Working the steps of the Capitol building

Inside the Capitol Building

Congressmen Sam Farr and Mike Honda

When our favorite Congressman, Sam Farr came down the stairs we rushed up to greet him as if we had not just left him 40 minutes earlier. He was joined by Congressman Mike Honda and they told jokes and entertained us for a minute, then Congressman Farr in his wonderfully generous way said, “You want to go inside?”. After 20 minutes in the visitor’s gallery with Congressman Farr explaining the rules and process of the House it was time to go. As we were leaving Congressman Dreier of Southern California came up to talk with Sam and kindly invited to sit in on a meeting of the Rules Committee. As we came in, there was a moment when things stopped and we were introduced to the room as students from Congressman Farr’s district and our teacher Mr. Mailliard was introduced as the son of former Congressman W.S.Mailliard.

As if watching the debate was not special enough, Congresswoman Slaughter, the chair of the Rules Committee, took the time to explain the issues to us, something that I’ve been told is unprecedented in the history of the Committee; first our mere presence in the chamber, plus the most powerful committee members in the House addressing us- mere students! To be recognized was an honor. Then a very partisan argument began and a series of procedural votes took place right down party lines. They kept pointing to us and referencing the fact that our generation would have to pay the cost of the war.

By the end, an equal number of emotions rushed in to fill me; awe, excitement, inspiration, euphoria, honor, and did I mention awe? To see world leaders, not ten feet from me debating the types of issues we read about in the newspaper, speaking so eloquently and with such obvious intelligence, I was finally struck with the realization that these people are real. Seeing actual people, right there in front of me, I realized that government IS people.

We thought that our day could not get any better, but it did. Congresswoman Slaughter invited us into the Rules Committee’s office. She spoke with us, speaking of how we, as students, held the future of the nation in our hands. Following our conversation with Congresswoman Slaughter, Congressman Dreier, who had blessed us with the invitation into the Committee Meeting, explained to us issues, such as the House Minority’s extreme difficulty in expressing itself in policy, and relayed to us a delightful story of his recent trip to Columbia. He was playful, charming and very obviously intelligent. He skillfully and patiently explained his ideas to us. Congressman Farr then took up on a private tour of the rotunda. Standing between the House and Senate, beneath the great dome, my feeling of awe topped out. Words cannot describe what it was like to look around, see hand-carved statues, meticulously crafted paintings adorning all of the walls, and the symbolism present in every last detail.

When our tour ended the group reconvened with Congressman Farr on the steps of the Capitol. We were freaking out, literally jumping for joy and hugging each other, energized by what we had just witnessed. Congressman Hastings of Florida, who had been present at the Rules Committee meeting, saw us on the steps and came over to join in our conversation with Congressman Farr. Congressman Hastings is a truly great person; funny, passionate, smart, graceful, witty, and everything I’d hope to see in a politician. He offered us advice, “learn a language.” He told us a comedic story of his mother’s own insistence that he do the same.

Words cannot do justice to the people we met, the things we say. No matter how much I’d like to describe how great all these people we met were, the only real way to find out is to meet them yourself. I’ve always been a skeptic about politics; in four hours, these wonderful people have not only restored my faith in both the system and humanity, but also made me seriously consider politics as a possible career for myself. Twelve years worth of forming my own opinions, suddenly challenged by four hours on Capitol Hill. Today was a truly inspiring and life-changing this experience.

-Andrew Whitaker

Capitol Glory: After leaving the Capitol building

Dr. Carol Lancaster – Director, Mortara Center School of Foreign Service: Georgetown University Mortara Center

Dr. Carol Lancaster – Intelligence and Care

This morning the rainy weather let up and we were able to experience our first beautiful sunny day in Washington, D.C. We left the William Penn House and rushed five blocks to the metro station. At DuPont Circle we caught a shuttle bus to Georgetown University, where we held our first interview of the day. Associate Professor Carol Lancaster, Director of the Master’s of Science in Foreign Service program is widely known for her work on the board of the Center for Global Development. Our group wasn’t sure what to expect from our interview with Dr. Lancaster, but what we got was a person who is a wonderful example of taking opportunities and running with them. Dr. Lancaster made us feel right at home with her no-nonsense attitude and quick wit.

Dr. Lancaster stressed the importance of community, which is often lost our somtimes self-involved lives. We spend so much of our time striving to fulfill our own needs, that we fail to see the need of others. She said, “why do we worry so much about what second car to buy when people are starving on the other side of the world?”

What I enjoyed about the interview was Dr. Lancaster’s evident integrity and devotion to her work. She told us that she did not want to live her life in a boring or constrained environment. In response to a question about important choices we make in life, she replied that her most important choice was to get herself an education. She encouraged us to travel and to live in other cultures. “Doing this will help you see yourself as others see you.” Traveling teaches values such as the importance of sharing, making adjustments, and realizing that personal relationships are a priority. At the end we asked her for advice on how we can prepare ourselves to go into the future as adults, she told us “if a door closes, find a window.”

-Rachel Sunberg

Michelle Jaconi Producer: Meet the Press, NBC

Michelle Jaconi – Passionate Success

Michelle Jaconi is all smiles. From the moment she greeted us in the lobby, confidently dressed in a vibrant red outfit, we knew she would be an enjoyable interview. Her enthusiastic yet down to earth personality made our time with her more of a conversation than an interview. She encouraged us to look at the path to success not as steps on a ladder, but rather as a constant journey toward a goal. When we asked about bloopers that have happened on “Meet the Press,” she laughed and told us some of her favorite live on-air mishaps.

She advised us to recognize our interests and not stray from them. Michelle Jaconi worked her way from being an NBC intern, tirelessly working 7 days a week, to the producer of NBC’s “Meet The Press.” She showed us through her example that when you are passionate, patient, and consistently making advancements toward your goals, you can achieve them. Michelle Jaconi is the perfect example of persistence and a spectacular role model for young women everywhere.

-Camille Schwartz & Leah Nascimento

Michelle Jaconi is the producer of NBC’s “Meet the Press,” the longest running show on TV now 60 years old. Going into this interview I was very excited. I couldn’t wait to hear what advice Mrs. Jaconi had for us. Digital Media, in particular television, interests me. To be able to talk with an influential television producer had my stomach doing summersaults.

I was quickly put at ease by Michelle Jaconi’s outgoing nature and contagious energy. She loves her job and it is apparent in the way she talks about her experiences producing “Meet the Press.” She recognized her passion for media when she was very small. Growing up, her father made sure there were always a variety of newspapers available to her. To this day she still reads multiple papers every morning. She is a great example of how doing what you love will lead you to success. This seems to be a growing theme of this trip.

At the end of our time with Michelle Jaconi she gave us a tour of the NBC studio. We saw the set on which “Meet the Press” is filmed. I felt the presence of the many famous and influential people that have been on that set. This was a perfect finish to a fantastic interview. Over the course of the day we had three interviews with three enthralling people, yet Michelle Jaconi stood out to me. Her vibrancy and enthusiasm will leave a lasting impression in my mind.

-Kai Buchanan

Tom Tucker Chief Scheduler for Congressman Farr

Tom Tucker – Quintessential Congressional Concierge

As we went through the lengthy security check at the Longworth Congressinal Building, we felt we were getting closer to the “top guys.” When we arrived at our destination on the sixth floor, we crammed into a small room. Not quite the luxurious office we were expecting, but our company was nothing short of incredible. We sat down to speak to Tom Tucker, Congressman Sam Farr’s scheduler. For a hard working person who we learned makes a lot of decisions about who get pieces of the Congressman’s time, he seemed naturally humble and down to earth. He is very committed to the public political process, but he makes his contribution by working behind the scenes. “This job is not about getting credit for your work,” he answered when asked if he ever wished he got more recognition for Congressman Sam Farr’s success. “ I do get credit for qwhat I do but I appreciate this job for the experiences I get. If you are here just to get credit this is not the place for you.”

We asked Mr. Tucker how he got started in his career and he explained that he worked in the hotel industry for ten years prior to reaching capital hill. It taught him how to deal with people and to think on his feet to solve problems. He stated somewhat humorously that he “Went from being a concierge for many customers in the hotel business, to being a concierge of one person on Capitol Hill.” His job seemed to require an interesting mix of talents. He also told us to be successful in this kind of work on Capitol Hill that you, “had to be aware of the nuances, and develop your gut feeling about things.”

It was exciting to interview someone who supports one of the leaders of our country. People like Tom Tucker are the foundation that holds the pedestals for the “top guys” to stand on. They are just as smart, capable and clear as the people in front of the scenes. The work that Tom Tucker does is for a purpose greater than making a name for himself, he genuinely wants to support his boss and help in anyway he can to see that he has what he need to do the best job for the country. Our interview with Tom Tucker came at the end of line of interviews today, and we were all exhausted; but he still kept us awake and involved in the conversation.

-Shelby Botula

Video of Michelle Jaconi (Producer of Meet the Press)

Alyse Nelson Bloom President of Vital Voices

Vital Voices – Breakfast at the Cosmos Club

We began the morning by waking up to the small hurricane pounding on our window. Sluggishly, we crawled out of bed. We met downstairs for a speedy ten minute interview prep session. We hustled and bustled through the rain to the nearest Metro station a few blocks away. We arrived at the Cosmos Club and waited excitedly for the arrival of our two power women, Alyse Nelson Bloom and Maria Pacheco. Both women were incredibly inspiring because of their passion about what they did. Speaking with Maria was especially inspiring for me since she has taken a path similar to the one I aspire to create for myself. Maria is the general manager of Protectors of the Forest in Guatemala

Maria Pacheco: General Manager Protectors of the Forest, Guatemala

and also has her hands in the United Nations. Her sincerity and humility helped to immediately form a sense of familiarity between with our group as she shared stories, experiences, and tears. This breakfast interview was a spectacular way to start off what promises to be a very inspiring ten days.

-Camille Schwartz

Vital Voices Interview at the Cosmos Club

It is surreal to be here. For 8 years I have heard about this place, Washington, DC. I have watched students come back from this trip with a newfound sense of inspiration. I have always been curious about what causes the mental shift in these students. Today, I experienced why students come back so inspired. This morning we did our first two interviews. I was awe-struck by Maria Pacheco. She is an active member of the networking group Vital Voices. I was impressed with Maria’s ability to be genuine and sincere while speaking with us. She told about growing up in Guatemala and witnessing the many deaths in her village due to war. She told us of her fears, and of her desire to escape this bloody reality that did not recognize the worth and rights of women.

While listening to these incredible stories and looking into her eyes so full of strength and determination, I felt an overwhelming sense of inspiration. It was amazing to talk to a woman who had the courage to follow the hard path of helping thousands of women in Guatemala. As a teenaged girl growing up in California with a stable and supportive family, I have been shielded from the pain and reality that she faced as a woman in Guatemala, something that women are still facing today. I have been blessed with the opportunity of believing that I can do anything I set my mind to. This should be a basic right given to all, when in reality millions of people will never see the kind of opportunity I take for granted everyday. Today is only our first day and I am already full of inspiration. My parents are going to be surprised when I return home with a new sense of confidence and determination.

–Leah Nascimento

Alyse Nelson: President of Vital Voices

Susannah Shakow Founder and President of Running Start

Susannah Shakow – A Running Start

Susannah Shakow shared with us a story that sums up my impression of her. She told us about being laid off from her job at a law firm. She spent 5 minutes feeling sorry for herself before realizing that she could turn this into great opportunity. She decided to make a change and spend her time nurturing her passion: an organization she helped to create, WUF Pack. WUF stands for Women Under Forty, it is an organization that supports women under forty years of age who are running for office. With Mrs. Shakow’s commitment and willingness to seize opportunity, WUF Pack has grown into a wonderful organization.
Mrs. Shakow taught us that we cannot control what life will throw at us, but we can control how we react to it. When unexpected things happen, we must take the time to recognize the doors that have opened. There will be things in our life that will surprise us and turn our world around. In meeting Mrs. Shakow, we have had the opportunity to hear from a person who was able to push through her emotional reactions and find a new door open. It is inspiring. Change isn’t bad, it’s only different.

-Shelby Botula

There’s nothing like the rush you get when you are racing out the door, down the rain soaked streets, and through the metro, trying to arrive in time for an interview that you found out about 5 minutes before. Just trying to make it to the Susannah Shakow interview was its own feat, but the actual interview made it all worth it. We only had a half hour to bombard her with questions and we made sure to use every minute to our advantage. Susannah Shakow was the embodied grace, knowledge, and passion. Her greatest strength was the balance she held effortlessly between her work and her family.
Instead of a formal interview, we were able to have a conversation with her. This made us realize how down to earth and real she is. What I most enjoyed about the meeting with Susannah was seeing that she deeply believed in what she was working towards. She is dedicated to finding and helping all women with interest in politics. She also works to spark interest in women as young as high school students. She has been an inspiration to our group and a great finale to our day of power women.

-Ashleigh England

Day One “The Last Mile”

We trekked through the DC jungle, complete with pouring rain and crazy metro adventures not to mention the miscalculation of the final destination. We were all soaking wet, losing all formation of our hairstyles that were a gamble in the first place.
We had trouble finding the room but once we walked in, we found Susannah Shakow sitting at a large oblong table. For those of you who have never seen Susannah, the most accurate way to describe her would be to compare her to someone like Grace Kelly or Audrey Hepburn, the kind of woman who personifies presence, poise and utter elegance.
I admit that towards the beginning of the interview I was wondering how this woman was in anyway significant compared to Maria Pacheco, basically a woman who stands in my future shoes (if all goes as planned!). I noticed that Susannah kept looking at her blackberry as if she was about to be late for something just a tad more important than the high school students in front of her, looking like wet dogs. But then she explained where she needed to be in 30 minutes; she needed to pick up her kids from school. I had forgotten that political women could have kids! They always seem to be hard and cold, not at all like the mothers I know. Susannah has managed to be a very successful lawyer, politician, businesswoman and mother. She has made a commitment to pick her kids up after school everyday and then do homework with them. I then saw what I was going to take away from the interview. Women can be incredibly successful in their careers, touch many lives and also be the mother that their children need, and do it with elegance.

-Hannah Meade

It is surreal to know that this legendary trip is finally here.

As the plane touched down onto the rainy tarmac at Dulles airport, there was a tangible sense of excitement and eager anticipation that spread throughout the entire group. Though the weather is gray, cold, and quite rainy, it seems at this point that nothing can lower our mood.

Now we are settled, fed and ready to work in our new space; the William Penn House. The conference room is filled with laptops, cameras, and busy minds. It’s been a long day of traveling and excitement, but no one can sleep. We are up, creating questions, researching, and putting together interview outlines.

There isn’t a doubt in my mind that tomorrow will be epic. I’ve been waiting months for the day to come to suit up, and go out there and take this opportunity for all that it’s worth. My plan is to stay in a mode full of focused intensity. I want to push myself to the fullest, but simultaneously stay focused. I want my peers and I to engourage the best from each other, and most of all I want to bond. I want to make sure that by the time this trip is over I will have countless memories to keep forever.

-Jasbir Nijor

We began the Mount Madonna School Government in Action program in 1989 to provide our students with a personal understanding of government and a more accurate and complete picture of those who devote their lives to a broad range of public service activities. Over the years this program has produced remarkable results far beyond anything we initially envisioned. As can be seen from the brief comments below the students return home inspired and transformed by their experience.

Today our program has evolved into an even deeper inquiry into the values that drive a life of service and meaning. We have re-titled the program, The Values in American Thought Tour to connect it more closely with our unique two-year “values” dialogue for juniors and seniors at Mount Madonna School. More recently our students have traveled internationally to interview thought leaders in other parts of the world. Last year as part of a joint project with the Dalai Lama Foundation, they traveled to India to interview the Dalai Lama and the President of India, as well as the American Ambassador to India David Mulford and respected Gandhian Nirmala Deshpande. This journey will be the subject of a full-length documentary to be released this summer. Even more recently a group traveled to Ecuador to spend time in the Amazon Rainforest to learn first hand about the issues facing that region.

On alternate years we come to Washington, DC where we have been fortunate enough to attract some of our nation’s finest public servants. We look for those who are vitally involved in trying to improve the quality of life in our nation and around the world, and who have the qualities of character and dedication that will inspire and inform. Our interviews usually last 45 minutes to an hour. The students come prepared to ask intelligent and stimulating questions. We are most interested in understanding why people have chosen to make the sacrifices that go along with public service and to discover what they have learned along the way that might be helpful to those just setting out on the journey. Whenever possible we like to videotape our conversations so they can be shared with other students through DVD’s and our student generated web site. Currently we are working on a new curriculum titled, Exploring a Life of Meaning that will include many of our interviews.

The Washington, D.C. experience has become an important a rite of passage for our students; something they eagerly look forward to as a part of becoming responsible adults in their community. Most importantly it changes forever the way they look at public servants. As each year unfolds we are discovering new opportunities to broaden the scope and impact of this program. This year, we will be uploading every day to a student run blog, and to a web site sponsored by our local newspaper. In 2006 to everyone’s surprise we had more than 5000 visitors to the website during our journey. Please visit www.mountmadonnaschool.org/values