On the final day of our stay in DC, we were able to meet Senator Feingold at the Capitol. He spoke to both of the Wisconsin honorees and the official Capitol photographer took photos.

Who knows?

Prudential Spirit of Community Series:
Washington DC Landmarks
Smithsonian Awards Dinner and Program
Prudential Honorees at Montgomery Elementary
Meeting US Senator Feingold
Positively Speaking – Service Opportunities Abound

Washington DC series (2008):
Washington DC Dos and Don’ts
View from Washington Monument
Mount Vernon
National Air and Space Museum
Washington DC Outdoor Art
National Archives – Declaration of Independence
Sculpture Gardens
Arlington Cemetery – Unknown Soldier
Washington DC Subway – Metro
National Mall and Reflecting Pond
Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial

The Prudential honorees also participated in a community service project at Montgomery Elementary School in Washington DC. They all read to the children there and donated books. As is typical with volunteer service, this experience was one of the highlights of the trip.

My daughter was asked to speak to the audience there about her literacy service project, and two elementary students there were honored for their own volunteer service.

After lunch at Hard Rock Cafe, all the honorees gathered on the Capitol steps for a group photo.

Prudential Spirit of Community Series:
Washington DC Landmarks
Smithsonian Awards Dinner and Program
Prudential Honorees at Montgomery Elementary
Meeting US Senator Feingold
Positively Speaking – Service Opportunities Abound

Washington DC series (2008):
Washington DC Dos and Don’ts
View from Washington Monument
Mount Vernon
National Air and Space Museum
Washington DC Outdoor Art
National Archives – Declaration of Independence
Sculpture Gardens
Arlington Cemetery – Unknown Soldier
Washington DC Subway – Metro
National Mall and Reflecting Pond
Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial

My daughter and the other Wisconsin honoree meet Condoleezza Rice.

After some time spent getting to know the other honorees, and parents had a chance to visit DC landmarks, we all went to the most fantastic awards banquet I can imagine. We were taken to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History – after hours – to listen to Dr. Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State, deliver the most perfect keynote. She was inspiring, funny, and the most perfect role model for the youth in this audience.

From the Prudential site:
“The Prudential Spirit of Community honorees give us great hope for the future,” said Dr. Rice. “Their compassion and commitment are already making a real difference in so many lives, and I have no doubt that their leadership will continue to positively impact the world for many years to come.”

In addition to her many years of government service, Dr. Rice cofounded an innovative after-school enrichment program in California that seeks to raise high school graduation rates by helping middle-school students prepare for high school and college.

Later, Seth Wescott, Winter Olympics snowboard Gold Medalist, also addressed the State Honorees. He emphasized the importance of perseverance and mentorship.

After Dr. Rice’s keynote, we dined on gourmet hors d’oevres. Imagine eating in a dimly lit Smithsonian exhibit, beneath the wild animal exhibits, dinosaurs, and the Hope Diamond. In the Safari exhibit, the recorded sounds of storms were played, and we felt as though we were sitting in a rainstorm, without feeling a drop. In my life, I doubt I will ever experience a more classy event.

Prudential Spirit of Community Series:
Washington DC Landmarks
Smithsonian Awards Dinner and Program
Prudential Honorees at Montgomery Elementary
Meeting US Senator Feingold
Positively Speaking – Service Opportunities Abound

Washington DC series (2008):
Washington DC Dos and Don’ts
View from Washington Monument
Mount Vernon
National Air and Space Museum
Washington DC Outdoor Art
National Archives – Declaration of Independence
Sculpture Gardens
Arlington Cemetery – Unknown Soldier
Washington DC Subway – Metro
National Mall and Reflecting Pond
Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial

As many of you know, my daughter was named a Prudential Spirit of Community honoree this year, for her work with her neighborhood book club. She won $1,000 and an all-expense paid trip to Washington DC for herself and me.

Neither of us could imagine the amazing experience they had in store for us. Besides the first class events arranged by Prudential, we felt so humbled by the company we kept – the young volunteer leaders who are honored in this program are doing unbelievable service in their communities and throughout the world. To hear their stories opened a whole new level of possibilities for my daughter.

In the next few weeks, I’ll share some of the photos from the events. This week, I’ll just share some of the candid shots my daughter took near the DC landmarks.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Lincoln Memorial.

Washington Monument.

The parents were mostly separated from the honorees during the events, so I don’t have a lot of photos yet. In a few weeks, I’m hoping to share with you the professional photos taken by Prudential.

Prudential Spirit of Community Series:
Washington DC Landmarks
Smithsonian Awards Dinner and Program
Prudential Honorees at Montgomery Elementary
Meeting US Senator Feingold
Positively Speaking – Service Opportunities Abound

Washington DC series (2008):
Washington DC Dos and Don’ts
View from Washington Monument
Mount Vernon
National Air and Space Museum
Washington DC Outdoor Art
National Archives – Declaration of Independence
Sculpture Gardens
Arlington Cemetery – Unknown Soldier
Washington DC Subway – Metro
National Mall and Reflecting Pond
Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial

Today is Lemonade Stand Day, a nation-wide event that supports young entrepreneurs in learning the ways of business. To read more about it, and other ways you can encourage your child’s entrepreneurial spirit, please read my Positively Speaking column at 5 Minutes for Mom.

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