With the goal of learning about US Government with a focus on Tribal Government, Alakai Redding-Geu, Joseph Finlay, and Morgan Pickell spent a week in Washington DC. The three Oakland-Craig senior high students were given the opportunity thanks to funding by Cultural Connections.
Joining 35 other Nebraska students, the OC students enjoyed the week at the Nation’s Capital with Michelle Rayburn as their chaperone. Chris Stogdill of Educations Services Unit 2 offered the program to qualifying students from Oakland-Craig, Bancroft-Rosalie, Emmerson-Hubbard, Lyons-Decatur, Pender, and Tekamah-Herman. The program required school administrative approval.
Leaving on a Sun., June 11th, Joseph and Alakai weren’t sure what to expect from the trip. They both said it was their first trip that far away without their parents. It was also Joseph’s first time flying. But there was an unexpected benefit from the trip, “I am less anti-social now,” Alakai shared of his experience.
Joseph said it was indeed good to be forced to work in groups with people we had never met before. “We didn’t have a choice and so we became more social,” he said.
Joseph and Alakai will be freshman this fall.
One of the highlights for Joseph was being able to meet U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts, “He seemed like a cool guy and had a lot to share.” Students were also able to meet Nebraska Representative Adrian Smith and U.S. Senator Deb Fischer.
Alakai said that standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial and seeing the reflective pool and Washington Monument was pretty special for him.
Joseph said that his favorite memorials were the WWII and the Korean War Memorials. They both said they each also enjoyed the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.
Alakai is the son of Jason and Jerry Redding-Geu. Joseph is the son of Will and Kristine Findlay. Jason and Will shared their thoughts on the trip for their boys.
“It was just as much of an opportunity for us as it was for them,” Jason said. “They were nervous because it was their first trip away. I was just as nervous with Alakai traveling that far for the first time.” Jason was said he was not surprised that they only time he and Jerry received a text from Alakai was when he was running low on spending money.
Will said that Joseph stayed a little more emotionally attached calling home each night and giving updates. Which was good for Will as well as he was tempted to fly to DC to be closer to his son should a need arise. “It was hard looking at my phone and realizing my kid was 1100 miles away.”
The trip was open to students with Native American roots and provided a unique Close Up experience. The boys said it was neat to meet kids from other tribes in Nebraska. Should the opportunity arise for other students to make the trip, both boys said they would encourage them to attend.
They both wished to thank their sponsor, Michelle Rayburn, Chris Stogdill from ESU 2, and Cultural Connections for making this trip possible.
