Yesterday was one of those "only in D.C." kind of days at the St. Albans School of Public Service. We started off the day with a private tour of the Library of Congress -- one of the most beautiful buildings in Washington, D.C. -- and were able to see the Library's exhibit on Jacob Riis, 19th century reformer and author of
How the Other Half Lives, as well as get a hands-on explanation of the technology of photography in Riis's time. Technological innovations were crucial to his ability to expose the dreadful condition in New York's tenements, as the invention of flash photography allowed for the first time the documentation of dark interior spaces. (See below a brief video clip of some of our group leaving the observation hall for the Main Reading Room.)
Upon our return to St. Albans, after a quick lunch, it was on to another iconic Washington, D.C. edifice: the Washington National Cathedral, which our SPS 2016 students have viewed from the outside for three-and-a-half weeks. Yesterday, we were able to see the Cathedral more closely from the inside, with an amazing tour of the Cathedral Bell Tower. (Below: a brief video clip of the group climbing the stairs to the Bell Tower, and photos from the adventure.)
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| From left: Emily S., Quincy, and Nina on the stairs to the Tower |
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| George, Dillon, and Daniel pause for a photo opportunity |
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| Mr. Wright talks to our group about the amazing Cathedral bells |
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| Jalen and K'Dreunna enjoying the "best in the city" view! |
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| Hey, Spencer and Daniel, what's that behind you? |
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| Morgan, Tommy S., and Madeline in the Bell Tower |
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| Zoe and Madeline enjoying a summer day at the Cathedral |
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| Some of our brave band who climbed to the Tower! From left: Dillon, Georgia, Jalen, Mariah, K'Dreunna, Medhanit, Emily Y., Zach |
Finally -- and even for SPS, this
was an exceptional day -- it was off to the German Ambassador's Residence, for a private Q&A with the German Ambassador to the United States and then a wonderful dinner at the Residence.
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| Mariah, Jocelyn, and K'Dreunna at the Residence |
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| Zaki, Will, and George enjoying the view from the Terrace of the Ambassador's Residence |
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| Three distinguished gentlemen! (Sevrin, Veljko, and Nico) |
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| Jalen, Jesus, and Dillon chat with SPS Board member Ms. Nazareth |
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| A great night for an outdoor dinner (from left: Nina, Alexa, and Zach) |
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| SPS 2016 on the grounds of the Ambassador's Residence |
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| From left: Will, Delia, GareAna, Emily S. |
