Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Letter To The Editor:

To the Editor:

Democracy is not a spectator sport -- for it to survive and flourish, we all must become involved. This is the message I heard from 237 high school students representing 22 Arkansas high schools who recently participated in the Close Up Foundation government studies program in Washington, D.C.

For a full week the students had the opportunity to develop a better understanding of our democratic process. By observing Congessional proceedings, questioning journalists and meeting with government experts, the abstracts of history and the process of governing were transformed into concrete experiences. In addition, students were able to share their views with their peers from other areas of the country.

Participants returned home with a deeper awareness of their responsibilities as citizens and the realization that a single individual can make a difference. Their enthusiasm for involvement in the democratic process is to be admired.

The Close Up experience was made possible through the strong support of parents, teachers and schools. Also, various companies and organizations helped make Close Up fellowships available to students in financial need. These sponsors include the Fred Darragh Foundation; Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc.; the David and Lucile Packard Foundation; and Union Pacific Corporation.

On behalf of all of us at Close Up, I would like to thank all who made the experience possible.

-Mary Hanlon

-Arkansas Outreach Coordinator