06.22.2024 Executive Office and Dept. of Ed
On Monday, CHCI programming looked quite different. Instead of being in a lecture and doing workshops, we had the opportunity to visit the executive office and the Department of Education. At the executive office, we learned about opportunities to intern in the White House and the political appointment process. We got to hear from previous CHCI interns and their roles in the current administration. It was great to learn from their panel and see the opportunities ahead as we conclude our internship. Afterward, we headed to the Department of Education, where we met the White House initiative and its staff. They gave us a presentation on their work, and they brought us snacks. We were also allowed to learn about working for the department and the internship office. I had the chance to meet the precious intern in my current office and network with other interns in the department.
06.23.2024 Graduation
Tuesday was my graduation from CHCI, although I still have a week left. Celebrating our accomplishments began today. At the office, things were very much normal; I answered meetings, updated reports, and hung out with my staff. They were all going to be in attendance, and they were all very excited; most of them were CHCI alums and big supporters. When 5 o'clock came around, I went over to the banquet room to prepare for graduation. We did our practice run-through before the ceremony began. I invited Perla, and she came as well. It is crazy how fast our weeks in this city passed by. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas gave an amazing speech, and we soon were handed our certificates. Afterward, we had the chance to mingle, eat, and enjoy each other's company. It was a long, exciting day and one that came way too fast.
06.25.2024 Next Gen & Tabling
Thursday was an extremely busy day. Due to Netanyahu's visit, Nextgen was moved to Thursday, meaning I was double booked by both programs. I started the morning in the office, where my staff had a goodbye party for both Marissa and me. We received gifts, a leather portfolio, and cards from everyone. We hung out in the conference room and just talked about our time in D.C. Afterwards, I headed over to greet the high school students, and the tour began. We took them to lunch and then gave them a tour of the capital complex, including the Library of Congress. Afterward, I had to say goodbye to the kids and went to meet with Kasayah to table for the House Intern Resource Fair. The tabling event went extremely well; we ran out of pamphlets, and I got to talk to a lot of people about the HEP/CAMP program. After the event, I joined NextGen for one final meeting and finished off the day.
06.26.2024 Goodbyes and Surprise Visit
Friday started as a sad day and turned into a happy one; it was my last day with all of the staff and interns. Over the nine weeks, I came to love my office and the environment I was welcomed into. On Friday, I joined meetings and had coffee with other interns in another Arizona office. I enjoyed my last full day as a team, and Matias and I helped solve the New York Times crossword puzzle, which is now framed on a wall in the office. We also had a special guest! Yvonne, one of our staffers, brought her foster pup, and she immediately stole our hearts. She was great company the whole day and slept underneath my desk. At the end of work, we all hugged goodbye and sadly went our separate ways because recess was upon us and all of Congress would begin to shut down. On my way to my apartment, Richard, a friend from MSU, FaceTimed Perla and me and said he was lost and couldn't find his way. We were both confused and when we looked at his screen, he was by the Lincoln Memorial with the Washington Monument behind him. After the initial shock that he was here, we quickly rearranged our afternoon and hung out for the rest of the day. We walked all over the hill, showed him the White House, and went to the Kennedy Center to see the city from above.
06.27.2024 Goodbyes and Surprise Visit pt.2
On Sunday, I started with my biweekly meeting with CRU; we went over more of the logistical aspects of our events before school begins. Afterward, I got myself a bagel and met up with Richard to see the Natural History Museum. We tried to go to the clock tower, but it was closed, we had fun seeing fossils and showing him the National Mall and how to use the metro. I then got us tickets to the Library of Congress, where Perla was waiting for us! I showed them the library, gave them my tour guide spiel, and then we went over to the capital! When we went inside, I was able to get them tour tickets, and I showed them the Capitol and Rotunda. Even though it was a weekend, it was not busy, and we got to be in some of the rooms by ourselves. It was really fun to show them where I work. I never thought we would all be together in D.C., but here we were. We then walked to Union Station, and we had some shake shack and caught up in person. We then went over to Chinatown and ended up playing retro videogames in the National Portraits Museum until closing. We left and decided to show Richard Georgetown, where we walked around and watched the sunset by the Potomac River. We ended the day in my apartment, where we said goodbye to Richard because he would be driving home Sunday morning. Overall, his visit was a fun surprise, and I’m glad he was able to come and spend time with us.
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