From the bird’s eye view atop the Washington Monument to the underground depths of the Metrorail system, I, alongside 15 fellow Crusaders, soaked up the D.C. experience this past fall semester. The competitive Washington Semester Program challenges Holy Cross upperclassmen to develop skills fostered by our liberal arts education by questioning and analyzing the contributions of agencies, think tanks, public interest organizations, and other groups to our democratic system.
With deeply-rooted passions to practice law and to advocate for society’s less fortunate, I interned for the D.C. Office of the Attorney General, Family Services Division, Child Protection Unit. This experience provided me with the opportunity to work directly with two attorneys while exploring how the law strives to best protect abused and neglected youth.
My days were spent composing orders, drafting motions, collecting testimony from witnesses, engaging in conversation with professionals, and observing how various hearings and trials unfolded. From this internship, I not only gained an understanding of the professional responsibilities of an attorney, but also was constantly reminded of the importance of solidarity. Together, we must work to address social, political, and economic inequalities feeding into our foster care system, as well as to provide support to American families in the best interest of the next generation.
In addition to interning four full-time days per week, my other academic responsibilities included writing a 50 page thesis and preparing for a weekly public policy seminar. Both scholarly projects fostered my development of a professional work ethic and strengthened my analytical and writing skills.
The Washington Semester far exceeds the typical classroom learning experiences as the city pieces together our country’s past, present, and future. Learning opportunities sprung up every single day. Over the course of the semester, I was fortunate enough to hear Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer share his interpretation of the Constitution as well as Alan Bjerga, president of the National Press Club, describe his thoughts on the changing media culture. Additionally, any spare second was devoted to experiencing the historical artifacts housed within the Smithsonian museums, National Archives, and Library of Congress.
The semester would not have been complete, however, without the support exhibited by Holy Cross alumni. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’71 welcomed us into his chambers and engaged us in the joys as well as challenges of his position within the judicial system. Brian Morrissey ’04, a former law clerk for Justice Thomas, discussed his insider view of the court.
NBC/MSNBC Studios also invited us to view a taping of Hardball. Host Chris Matthews’67 inspired us to form our own perspectives of the world around us based off experience. Adam Verdugo ’06, a producer at NBC News and prior participant in the Washington Semester Program, described his journey across the country to cover the elections. The Holy Cross Club of the Capital Region and Phil Colvin ’04, president of the Holy Cross Club of the Capital Region, also arranged multiple Holy Cross networking opportunities. Crusaders past and present united while relishing the joy of a tailgate and cheering on our football team against Georgetown in late September.
While traveling full speed ahead in pursuing my interests, I did not forget to tend to the needs of my 20-something adventurous self. Weekends allotted time to savor every last bite of a chocolate sprinkle cupcake from the nationally renowned Georgetown Cupcake, enjoy the sights and sounds at a Nationals as well as Capitals game, and participate in events on the National Mall. I am also proud to say my roommates and I prepared family style dinners more often than we ate out, and we mastered the routes of the blue, yellow, red, orange, and green metro lines.
As this chapter of my undergraduate education concludes, I am thankful for the experiences and people who forever stole pieces of my heart as well as for Holy Cross’ dedication to aiding its students in pursuing their dreams.
Sara Lonks ’12, from North Providence, R.I., is a political science major with a Peace and Conflict Studies concentration.
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Lonks ’12 Looks Back on Fulfilling Semester Spent in Washington, D.C.
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