Chapman group braves hot, stormy weather to tour and study in D.C.

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For the second year,  first-prize recipients in the Rodgers Center Holocaust Art and Writing Contest journeyed to Washington, D.C. for a four-day, whirlwind study trip. They were accompanied by their parents and teachers as well as Wilkinson College faculty members Marilyn Harran, Ph.D., and Jan Osborn, Ph.D., staff member Jessica MyLymuk and sponsor Dana Hollander.

During their trip July 27 to July 1, they were undeterred by the record-breaking heat , a brief power outage and a spectacular thunderstorm. The group visited many of Washington’s most important sites and spent two intensive mornings at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, where Professor Harran guided the group through the Museum’s permanent exhibit.  The group also toured the Capitol, Mount Vernon, Alexandria, Kennedy Center, the Newseum and the National Cathedral, as well as spending time at the Lincoln and Vietnam memorials.

A high point was the group’s meeting with Congressman Ed Royce, who welcomed the 21 trip participants to his office, answered policy questions and graciously posed for photos.  Another favorite was hearing famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma perform with the National Symphony Orchestra at Kennedy Center, which also brought Professor Harran a reunion with Chapman alumnus Ryan Zelaskus ’08, now working in D.C.

Although the trip was study-focused, there was still time for ice cream at Thomas Sweet’s in Georgetown and a visit with National Zoo panda-keepers, who timed Tian Tian’s frozen juice treat for the group’s arrival.  Now she knows how to stay cool!