SPS '15: Enjoying the Great Outdoors (and Unleashing the Inner Billy Goat)

Although the students of the St. Albans School of Public Service class of 2015 excel inside the classroom, they've also been taking advantage of opportunities to enjoy all that the Washington, D.C. area has to offer.  That includes some great hiking along the Potomac River on the well-known Billy Goat Trail.  Although the hike was optional, SPS '15 had a great showing and after a vigorous morning hike we picnicked at the trailhead before heading back to St. Albans.

Justin surveying the sights during a break on the Billy Goat Trail

Michael, Mr. Jacks, and Patrick taking in the view of the Potomac (or posing for a photograph while taking in the view of the Potomac)

Nora, Alex, and Caroline Out on the Trail

Caroline and Nora

This section gives the Billy Goat Trail its well-deserved name

School of Public Service Alumni Garden Party 2015

Each year, a highlight of the four weeks is the School of Public Service Alumni Garden Party, at which the current SPS class has a chance to visit with alumni of the program who may be working, studying, or passing through Washington, D.C.  Although it's been a rainy summer, Mother Nature cooperated with a beautiful and temperate summer evening for the 2015 SPS Alumni Garden Party.  After time to mingle in the Amphitheater, we ate dinner in the Refectory and finished the evening with an ice cream social on the roof of St. Albans School.  Special thanks goes to Captain Robin Graves, U.S. Army, a member of the inaugural SPS Class of 2002, who joined us this year and was promptly peppered with questions from SPS 2015 about his career in the Army.

Captain Robin Graves, SPS '02, with a member of our newest alumni class, Daniel Weinberg SPS '14

Members of SPS '15 in the Amphitheater (from left: Brandon, Charlie, Justin, Ali, Tom, and Caroline)

Michael (SPS '15) and Captain Graves

Mr. Stephany (longtime SPS Faculty Member) with Ryan D., SPS '12, and Matt E., SPS '13

Two of Norfolk Academy's finest: Sarah K. (SPS alum) and Sophie K. (SPS '15

SPS '15 members Anna R., Harrison A., Liam M., and Anna K.

Captain Graves with Ali R., Darcy M., and Domonic H. 

On the roof with Matt E. (SPS '13), Grady W. (SPS '13) and Liam M. (SPS '15)

Ladies of SPS '15 enjoying the great view of the DC skyline (from left: Nastia, Ali, Sophie, Camilla, Tanya, and Salma)

Mr. Stephany with SPS alum (and fellow Memphian) Jessica B. (SPS '06)

Two New Yorkers catching up: Brandon (SPS '15) and Daniel (SPS '14)

Henry (SPS '15), Camilla (SPS '14 and SPS '15 intern) and Allie T. (SPS '15)

SPS Alum Kami S. with current SPS student Domonic H. 

Mr. Eagles with Ryan (SPS '13) and Charlie (SPS '15)

SPS 2015: Public Service Through Public Health

Dr, Fauci at SPS 

Yesterday the St. Albans School of Public Service was fortunate enough to hear from one of the giants of American public health, Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health.  Dr. Fauci has been the Director of the NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) since 1984.  As the NIAID Director, Dr. Fauci oversees major research efforts to prevent, diagnose and treat infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.  Dr. Fauci is a key White House advisor on issues such as global HIV/AIDS and efforts to fight emerging infectious diseases and influenza pandemics.  We also learned that Dr. Fauci has testified before Congress 218 times, more than anyone else in history!  Dr. Fauci has received numerous awards over his storied career, most notably the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Dr. Fauci spoke to our group about his own path to public service, including his early awareness of the growing HIV/AIDS crisis, his efforts to help coordinate the U.S. response, and more recently, his efforts in responding to the outbreak of Ebola (including the NIH's treatment of an American health care worker who had contracted Ebola).  Dr. Fauci then took a range of questions from the SPS students on issues ranging from the response to Ebola to thoughts on key public health steps for prevention of pandemics.  

SPS 2015: Exploring Government at the State Level -- SPS '15 in the Maryland Capital (Pssst, it's Annapolis!)

Possible future Senate President?  (Alex)

After spending much of our time exploring government at the federal level (after all, D.C. is the federal city!), yesterday the students of the St. Albans School of Public Service Class of 2015 took a closer look at state government through a visit to the Maryland State House and a Q & A with Maryland Delegate James Gilchrist.

After hearing a presentation on the Maryland legislative process -- our students were fascinated to learn that the Maryland legislature is only in session for 90 days each year -- we received a tour of the State House.  Our timing was excellent, as years of renovation of the historic Old Senate Chamber (where General George Washington resigned his military commission), ended this past Monday and our group was able to explore it.  A particular hit was the statue of George Washington that marked the precise spot on which Washington stood while addressing the Continental Congress* to give up his commission (*not a typo!  Maryland's state house also served as the Nation's Capital from 1783 - 1784).  (See the first three photos below)

After our tour, we were lucky enough to have a private Q&A session with an elected Maryland State legislator, Delegate James Gilchrist, who represents Rockville and Gaithersburg in Montgomery County.  Our future public servants had an array of excellent questions about the legislative process, Maryland politics, and the state-federal relationship.

We ended the day with some time to explore historic Annapolis.  A small and especially patriotic group even visited the U.S. Naval Academy, where we observed the Noon Meal Formation of the midshipmen (the newest class of midshipmen, aka Plebes, have been at the Naval Academy for about a week and a half -- we thought their marching skills were excellent!).  All in all, it was a great day for SPS '15 to explore another nearby capital city.

In the Old Senate Chamber (from left: Maya, Elizabeth, Mary, Allie)

With the George Washington Statue in the Old Senate Chamber (from left: Nico, Liam, Christian, Caroline, and Ethan)

Will has got that "father of his country" look down! (From left: Will, Harrison, Liam, Christian)

Getting a photo in the House of Delegates Chamber at the Maryland State House

During our Tour of the Senate Chamber at the Maryland State House

The Tiffany Skylight is worth craning your neck a bit to take a look!

SPS '15 on our tour of the Maryland State House

Our host at the Maryland Statehouse, Delegate James Gilchrist

Nico, Blake, and Harrison

With Delegate Gilchrist on the steps of the Maryland State House

Midshipmen during the Noon Meal Formation at the U.S. Naval Academy (see below for video)

SPS Faculty Members Ms. Sam, Mr. Bishop, and Mr. Jacks in front of Bill the Goat, the Naval Academy Mascot

SPS 2015 on the Move: From Georgetown to Downtown (Georgetown University and NPR)

St. Albans School Students at SPS on the Presidents' Steps

Georgetown University

The St. Albans School of Public Service Class of 2015 took full advantage of being in Washington, D.C., yesterday, with a morning trip to Georgetown University and an afternoon trip to NPR.  We began the day with an admissions tour of Georgetown University, long a favored destination for SPS alums.  After a great tour (our tour guide was the incoming student body president, no less), we spent some time getting photos on the "Presidents' Steps" (where thirteen U.S. Presidents have spoken), then made the requisite stop in the campus bookstore to scratch that itch for souvenirs.

After a quick lunch back at St. Albans, it was back aboard the big white bus to the NoMa (North of Massachusetts Ave) neighborhood in Washington DC to visit NPR.  At NPR, we had a full tour of the studios and were fortunate enough to be able to have a lengthy Q&A session with NPR reporter/newscasters, producers, executive producers and bloggers.

Nora in the Studio

Looks like Brandon is a natural for the broadcasting business!

This is Luke C., reporting live!

Ellie has the broadcaster pose down!

Maxi is ready to go on air

Checking out NPR's satellites

On our NPR Tour

Sebastian in front of the "Tiny Desk Concerts" site at NPR Music

Lots of happy faces on our NPR Tour (Anna R.)

SPS 2015: Celebrating the Women's World Cup Soccer Victory

SPS '15 Rushes the Screen In Celebration of an Unprecedented Fourth Goal

The St. Albans School of Public Service capped off a patriotic weekend by taking in a patriotic sporting event: the finals of the Women's World Cup Soccer.  What's better than watching the U.S. Women's team triumph 5-2?  Two words: halftime nachos.  It was a great end to a fun-filled July 4 weekend at the School of Public Service.

SPS 2015: July 4 Evening at the Walkersville Volunteer Fire Department Carnival

The St. Albans School of Public Service Class of 2015 ended a great Independence Day holiday with a trip to Frederick Country, Maryland, for an old-fashioned country carnival, complete with rides, games, and funnel cakes!