Nov. 7: Farewells, Cheers, and THANKS!!

Words cannot express how grateful we are to our fantastic hosts, Beth Newberger and Richard Schwartz, and Allida Black and Judy Beck. Your generosity, enthusiasm, and commitment are second to none!!! We can't imagine a more exciting week to have been in Washington, and the experiences you created for us will stay with us and guide our ongoing exploration of citizenship, democracy, freedom, and opportunity. From all of us, THANK YOU!!! We can't wait to see you again.
- Justin Warren, LLA Staff

Nov. 6: Vietnam Memorial

Nov. 6: Library of Congress

You may be wondering, 'where are all the BOOKS??!?!'
More on that to come : )

Nov. 5: LLA Visits House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

We had lunch with Speaker Pelosi!!! Check this link (here) which features us on her website, and watch her comments and Mario's reaction (below).

ELECTION DAY 2008: OBAMA!!

Words can't describe our excitement. But this can:

ELECTION DAY 2008: Arlington VA Precinct Reporting

Nov. 4: Jefferson Memorial

Even though Thomas Jefferson supported slavery, his philosophy and his personal thoughts became helpful in what we now call the 'new generations' of thinking. Though Jefferson never thought of a united nation without slavery, segregation, discrimination, and racial persecution, his words were the seed of the struggle to end our 'legalized dehumanization' that continues today. He started the movement to open voting rights and citizenship to all americans, not just those who were wealthy landowners. Even though his idea of a 'citizen' didn't include many groups of Americans, his philosophy promoted the ideas that would shape the future of equal rights for everyone.

- Mario Zambrano

Nov. 3: Obama's Last Campaign Rally!!

Manassus, VA. Swing state. The evening before the election. 100,000 people attended. None were disappointed.

Nov. 2: Clinton Rally for Barack Obama

One word -- INTENSE!! Our host, Beth Newburger, escorted us past an endless line, through security, and directly to seats in front next to the stage! VIP, baby! After hours of patience, she finally arrived. Kanye's "Sky High" was blasting in the background, when police cars and three black Escalades pulled up, our hearts started racing. While Listening to the wise words of Senator Clinton, we all got the chills. Not only were we in the front row, but I got to say hello and shake her hand! Did I already say... INTENSE??! That's when it hit us: we are history in the making.

- Josie Najera

More pics, video, and excitement soon...
Up next: LLA students go to Obama's FINAL campaign rally!!!

Nov. 2: President Lincoln's Cottage House

Nov. 1: Arriving in D.C.

Finally in DC -- This is what we've all been waiting for! This seems so different from what we're used to. The streets are cleaner, the traffic lights are longer, the weather is perfect. The flight over here was smooth. I was asleep the whole time! But so far I'm having fun, and I can tell that I'm going to learn a lot. I'm excited to tour the city tomorrow and learn something new. We're scheduled to go to a Hillary Clinton rally tomorrow -- hecka exciting! I've never been to anything like it before. Can't wait.

-Kenysha Thomas