Service Learning Academy: Academy Students Visit Washington

June 2010

Students make presentation to the Learn and Serve and Americorps staff

Five TCHS Service Learning Council students competed and were selected to participate in COMPACT's annual trip to Washington, DC. The students were selected based on service learning activities, an essay, an interview, GPA, excellent attendance and character. They joined COMPACT and AVID students from Freedom, Jones, Oakridge, Colonial and Dr. Philips.

The representatives from the SL Academy were: seniors Josh Peters, Rainel Zelaya, Zohaad Merchant, junior Cheslea Salvato, and freshman Erica Dekover. Former TCHS service learning student and Boone graduate, Nani Doromal was the trip's photographer.

From a press release by COMPACT Executive Director, George Fuller:

...The highlight of the trip was the two hour dialogue with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas who has shared his wisdom and advice each year to COMPACT students, beginning with the first trip in 1992. Other special events included the one-half day sponsored by Darden Restaurants which began with a fabulous lunch at their Capital Grille Restaurant. Following lunch, the group journeyed to the Capitol for an afternoon informational session with some representatives from the offices of several Florida members of Congress and three scholarship organizations.

The trip also included a White House Tour; visits to FDR, Jefferson, Lincoln, Vietnam, and World War II Memorials; Arlington Cemetery, and some of the Smithsonian Museums; a lunch/dance cruise along the Potomac Ricer; a scrumptious brunch at Bolling Air Force Base Officer’s Club and special Dance Performance by Carla and Company.

Just prior to departing for home the group had a meeting at the office of Corporation for National and Community Service. This meeting was initiated by chaperone, Mrs. Wendy Doromal, who is the Service Learning Teacher at Timber Creek and also serves as the Service Learning Coordinator for Orange County Public Schools. Mrs. Doromal and her five Timber Creek students gave a presentation on their Service Learning projects. Also the other students shared their Community Service involvement with the audience which included representatives from AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America), Learn and Serve America, and National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC).

Chelsea said, "Being able to speak with and thank the Learn and Serve directors who fund our programs was exciting and we learned of amazing opportunities during and after high school. I hope to intern in Washington."

Every student received a special bracelet flash drive from Learn and Serve America Program.

The trip was an experience none of us will ever forget. My advice to future SLA students is to compete for the 2011 trip!

Here are some photos from our trip:

Academy students Zohaad Merchant and Chelsea Salvato presented Tracey Seabolt from Learn and Serve America with a scrapbook detailing their service learning activities.