Chamber Dinner Benefits Student Close Up Program
Photo by Mica Hutchinson. John Becker, President of the Chamber of Commerce, presenting Debbie Lorence with a donation to the Close Up Program.
Mica Hutchison - CRR Staff
Moose soup and Indian tacos were on the menu at the Greater Copper Valley Chamber of Commerce fundraiser held to benefit the Glennallen High School Close Up Program on February 24. Attendees enjoyed dinner prepared and served by students involved in the program.
Moose meat was donated by GHS social studies teacher Debbie Lorence. All proceeds from the dinner went to the Close Up Program, and the Chamber of Commerce donated an additional $500 to their efforts.
The program gives students the opportunity to visit our nation’s capital and gain a stronger understanding of government institutions and their roles as citizens. GHS has thirteen students in the program, and they have an active role in fundraising to cover the costs of their trip.
Photo by Mica Hutchinson. Students Harry Scudder and Tiana Cozzen serving dinner to attendees.
“We have a long history of sending students,” said Lorence. Glennallen has participated in the Close Up Program since its start in the 1970s. Kenny Lake Teacher Stefan Johnson has personal experience with the program, having attended when he was in middle school.
“It’s an excellent experience,” he said, “allowing students a hands-on approach to learning about government and history.”
Johnson and Lorence will chaperone the trip.
The students are especially looking forward to attending this month after the trip has been canceled the past two years. It was a long wait for senior Harry Scudder who has wanted to go since his sophomore year and will finally have the opportunity. He’s looking forward to meeting our senators and seeing how government works for himself, “not just seeing it on the news.”
After students served dinner, drinks, and dessert, they took to the podium to share their interest in the program with attendees.
Mathias Chmielowski finds local government interesting and wants to see how things are done on the federal level. Raejin Simeon echoed that sentiment and expressed a desire to learn how he can help fix problems in our government.
All the students are excited for the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. and to be able to meet and interact with students from all around the country. A few are hoping to make friends with high schoolers from other states, and Tiana Cozzen said she will be including the experience on her college applications.
During dinner, Ashley Hicks gave a presentation on behalf of the Migrant Education Program which provides activities, services, and resources for migrant students and their families. The program donated to the Close Up students as well,finishing up the fundraising needed to secure their trip. Hicks also gave a presentation on behalf of Recycling Our Area Resources.
Photo by Mica Hutchinson. Back row from left: Mr. Johnson, Harry Scudder, Mathias Chmielowski, Raejin Simeon, Connor Miller. Front Row from Left: Ce'Anika Palacios, Jada Dahl, Tiana Cozzen, Mrs. Lorence
The students and their chaperones will arrive in DC on April 24 and will have a busy week ahead of them.
“I tell them ‘bring your serious walking shoes because we’re gonna go see stuff; there is no sitting around,’” said Mrs. Lorence.
They will visit the Jefferson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Martin Luther King, Jr., Eisenhower, and Lincoln Memorials, as well as the War, U.S. Marine Corps, and 9/11 Memorials. They will tour the National Mall and Capitol Hill and will attend a mock Congress session. Also on the agenda are visits to the Smithsonian, a workshop on American political values, and a session on current issues in public policy.
During the week, Glennallen students will be housed with other students from around the nation. Mrs. Lorence said this has been an enriching experience for students in the past. Having the opportunity to speak with teens from other areas of the country can be eye-opening and spark engaging discussions.
For upcoming events, contact the Greater Copper Valley Chamber of Commerce at 822-5555 or at chamber@cvinternet.net. During winter, they hold a Chamber dinner the fourth Thursday of the month.
For more information on the Migrant Education program, contact Ashley Hicks with the Copper River School District at 822-8556 or ahicks@crsd.us.