SPS 2018: Goodbye to the St. Albans Public Service Class of 2018!

We bid farewell today to the St. Albans School of Public Service class of 2018: fifty students from all over the U.S. (fifteen states) and even the world (that's you, Maggie!).  Although our students came from near (some living just a few blocks from the school) and far (the West Coast, the UK), by the end of four weeks at St. Albans they had come together.  In the words of Barratt D. on the last day, "SPS forever!"

The SPS Class of 2018 official picture

SPS 2018: Final Banquet

On the last full day at the St. Albans School of Public Service, the class gathers one last time altogether in the Refectory for the Final Banquet.  An enduring tradition that has emerged are the toasts/speeches during dinner, as any student who wishes gives a toast or short speech celebrating or reflecting upon the experience.  Whether humorous or heartfelt, SPS 2018's personalities came through and we will miss you all!

Lincoln C. was the first to be brave enough to come to the microphone

Jeremey J. (Alabama)

Anna B. (New York)

The appreciative crowd

Zeyad E. (Washington, D.C.)

London P. (Tennessee)

Taalin R. (Massachusetts)

Barratt D. (Washington, D.C.)

Christopher H. (Washington, D.C.)

Caitlin R. (Tennessee)

Frances S. (New Jersey)

Our wonderful intern Medhanit F. (Massachusetts) with Jeremey J. (Alabama)

SPS 2018: SPS Has Got Talent! (Annual SPS Talent Show)

We've seen a multitude of talents on display from the St. Albans School of Public Service Class of 2018 over these four weeks, but tonight we saw the musical variety in the Annual SPS Talent Show.  Acts included a special guest appearance from a future member of the SPS Class of '31, who played a guitar duet with Caroline F., SPS '18 that brought down the house.  Special thanks to our volunteer MCs!

Caroline F. with future SPS Class of '31 member Everette M.

SPS 2018: The Garfield Circle Wall -- a School of Public Service Tradition

Any SPS alum of recent vintage should be able to recognize this scene -- it's the wall bordering Garfield Circle, a little known DC Capitol Hill landmark unless you attend the St. Albans School of Public Service and constantly get dropped off there (it's the official bus drop-off point for Capitol Hill) for visits with Supreme Court Justices, U.S. Senators, and Members of Congress.  If it's Wednesday at SPS?  Must be a visit with a Member of Congress!  Today, our host was Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ), a longtime friend to SPS who spoke to our students about a wide range of political topics, including his work on climate change (he represents a coastal district of New Jersey) and his assessment of the mid-term election landscape.  Then it was back to Garfield Circle to await our bus back to STA and dinner in the Refectory.

SPS 2018: Visit to the U.S. Capitol and with a U.S. Member of Congress

After visiting the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this week, in short order the SPS Class of 2018 took a closer look at another branch of government: the legislative branch.  After a tour of the Capitol Visitor Center, our group was able to have a question-and-answer session with Congressman Raul Ruiz of California's 36th District.  We thank Congressman Ruiz for being so generous with his time and for sharing his own path to public service, from immigrant to Congressman, with our students.

Hanging out at the Capitol Visitor Center before the Official Tour

SPS Class of 2018 with Congressman Raul Ruiz on Capitol Hill

SPS 2018: Visit to the United States Supreme Court

Today the St. Albans School of Public Service had the rare opportunity to meet with a sitting United States Supreme Court Justice at the U.S. Supreme Court.  After a tour of the courtroom in which oral arguments occur, the group met with a Justice and had the opportunity to learn more about the legal system and its role in the formulation of domestic policy in the U.S.

SPS 2018: It Can't ALWAYS Be About Public Policy -- Taking a Break with a Pool Party

When you think about it, it's pretty extraordinary that 50 high school juniors are willing to give up a month of their summer vacation to learn about politics, policy and public service in Washington D.C.  But, let's face it, as fascinating as public policy is, it's still summertime!  And the St. Albans School of Public Service officially believes in summer fun.  Today, that took the form of an afternoon pool party.

SPS 2018: Mock Press Conferences

As part of the session-long group advocacy project, today the St. Albans School of Public Service class of 2018 conducted mock "press conferences" in which they presented their draft legislative bills to an appropriately skeptical "media" audienc (played by their SPS '18 classmates).

SPS 2018: Visit with Former White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten

This morning, the St. Albans School of Public Service had the rare opportunity to meet with former White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten, who leads the Business Roundtable, an association of the CEOs of America's largest businesses.  Mr. Bolten asked for volunteer future journalists, who then "interviewed" him.  SPS '18 came up with some great questions!

SPS 2018: Visit to the Library of Congress and its World War I Exhibit

Today the St. Albans School of Public Service Class of 2018 visited one of our favorite places: the Library of Congress.  We split into three smaller groups and toured the Library as well as being able to spend a significant amount of time at the World War One exhibit, "Echoes of the Great War."  We learned that the Library's collection includes artifacts and students tried on helmets and a few brave souls even tried on gas masks!

Hands on access to World War I artifacts at the Library of Congress

Michael rocking the World War I helmet

The helmet looks good, Sydney!

SPS 2018: Visit to the Federal Reserve

The St. Albans School of Public Service class of 2018 followed up on their classroom work with Mr. Eagles learning about the role of the Federal Reserve Bank with a visit this afternoon to the Federal Reserve Building in Washington, D.C.  We were also lucky enough during our visit to be able to have a private meeting and opportunity to ask questions to the Vice Chair of the Federal Reserve.