City Girl!

Greetings!  A few weeks ago my cohort and I had our first adventure!  We traveled to Washington, DC for the Annual Council for Exceptional Children Children and Youth Action Network Training (CEC-CAN Training).  This was our first time traveling and dwelling together and I can say we all mesh well!  Here are a few photos from our adventure. 

I think we will all admit that we were a little nervous about the trip not only because we were meeting new people, but because we were beginning our journey at a workshop in which we knew little about.  However, as you can see below, we got along very well!

Across the street from our hotel, was an amazing restaurant and bar.  The food was delicious, but the best part was the bathroom!  After leaving the vibrant dining area, you traveled down a dark hallway, that lead to this cool bathroom.  Being the people that we are, we took several pictures in the bathroom.  The sink was touch activated and it glowed!



The wall was a peachy/orange color with birds all over it.  The toileting area was also set up like individual closets complete with a shelf and was even sound proof!

Below is a picture of all the UNCG students and faculty that attended the training.  The woman in the pink shirt with red hair is my advisor and director of our scholarship.  We call her "the Rock".

Our purpose of attending the CEC CAN training was to learn about important policy issues affecting children and youth with disabilities and to become advocates for their rights.  After learning about the issues, we all headed up to Capitol Hill to talk with representatives and inform them about the issues and to ask for their support.  Our "Day on the Hill" began with a briefing that occurred in the Rayburn Building. (pictured below Link 2 Lead)



Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children

(TED CEC)

TED CEC dinner with Jane West

One of the best parts about being on Capitol Hill was being under Capitol Hill!  Apparently another life exists under the capitol and we spent almost the entire day underground.  We went from building to building without setting foot outside!  We "kidnapped" inters to escort us about the trains and through the tunnels, had lunch underground, navigated security, and took some amazing pictures!  This statue was underground and I thought it was beautiful!

 They also had an art gallery that contained artwork from artists and was arranged by state.  Below is just a sample of the North Carolina portion of the wall.

Overall, we had an amazing trip and it was the perfect way to bond as Link 2 Lead scholars!  Next we attend our workshop at the Center for Creative Leadership and head back to Washington, DC for the OSEP conference.

Let the Journey Begin!!!