USC Aiken Student Leaders Head to the Nation's Capital

by Mason Spires, Class of '20, Political Science

Aiken, SC (11/12/2018) — For fall break, 10 Pacers from the University of South Carolina Aiken traveled to the nation's capital to learn more about government and history.

While in Washington, the group met with staffers for local representatives in Congress, including Reps. Joe Wilson and Jim Clyburn and Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott. The student leaders also met with different legislative aides and one chief of staff and discussed many aspects of the political system and how Congress works.

The Pacers also toured many of the memorials in D.C., including the Lincoln Memorial and many of the student's favorite, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Other highlights included visiting the Air and Space Museum and other Smithsonian Museums, attending a Wizards basketball game, and taking tours of the Capitol and Supreme Court.

"Overall, the trip was a complete success," said one Pacer participant.

"Each of our students has spoken about what a terrific learning experience it was and how impactful visiting our nation's capital and meeting with representatives was."

Organizers of the trip believe this annual Washington D.C. Leadership Exchange program gives students at USC Aiken and unprecedented chance to see how democracy works in the United States and the paths many leaders took to get the nation where it is today.

USC Aiken students who spent their fall break in Washington were:

Harley Avery

Tiara Bradburn

Lauren Effler

Jocelyn Gomez

Suzanna LaMunion

Q'ladrin Qourters

Q'may Qourters

Eric Roberts

Mason Spires

Carson Williams