Since 1979, I have been involved in the Close Up program and have accompanied Dublin High School students to Washington, D.C. The impact of the Close Up program is enormous.

For my students, the Close Up program offers not only an educational experience, but in many cases, a life-defining opportunity. For me, Close Up enhances my curricula, energizes my teaching strategies, and provides me with insight to instill a love of history and government in my students.

I feel compelled to illustrate a few cases in point. At least four of my former Close Up students were so motivated by their Close Up experience that they attended law school after college. Two of my students became congressional interns the summer after their Close Up trip. Another of my Close Up veterans now works for the FBI. She recently emailed me and said that without Close Up, she never would have thought to pursue this path in life.

Clearly, close Up awakens in thousands of young people the realization that each and every vote counts, and that a single individual can make a difference in a democracy.

Finally, the professional development opportunities for teachers participating in the Close Up program are wonderful. I return from every Close Up trip with exciting lesson plans applicable to history, government, and economics classes. The speakers we hear, and the sites we visit, add to my teaching experience and enrich the learning environment I provide to my students. Beyond that, every Close Up trip propels me to inspire my students about civic responsibility