 "Photo: Contributed photo")
It's rare that fun and education are used in the same sentence, but this is the case with a select group of HCC students. Politics, fun and monuments collide this spring break, March 27-31, when several criminal justice majors will be going on a trip. Their destination is the nation's capital, Washington, D.C.
"The purpose of the trip is for us to become more knowledgeable about all the aspects of criminal justice," said Bonnie Barnes, student and vice-president of the Criminal Justice Student Association (CJSA).
These students are afforded this opportunity through the CJSA. However, not every member of the club's estimated 140 members will be able to go. Only the most deserving, 15 to be exact, are being rewarded with this opportunity. The students who were selected were required to meet certain criteria.
"The way that you are able to go is that you have to do two SGA events, that we do with SGA, and two fundraising events," said Barnes. "They have to actually be active. Actively be working in the club."
Some students are highly motivated and willing to participate whenever they can in order to go on the trip.
"To go on the trip to Washington D.C., for CJSA, I have been participating in events that aid the club in getting their name out to the students of HCC," said Kendra Velasco, student and member of the CJSA club. "Such as, the welcome back event put on by the SGA, the fashion show, the club carnival day, and fundraisers."
If Velasco's dedication is any indication, then this trip means a lot to the students who will be able to go.
"As criminal justice students that is the ultimate goal," said Dr. Melynda Neal, criminal justice instructor and academic advisor to the CJSA. "Not only can you see the FBI and that sort of thing, but if you are interested in law they're going to the Supreme Court. They're going to be able to talk with the previous Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. It really is a great trip for a student of criminal justice to be able to take."
The students will also be able to tour numerous monuments including the White House. Not only will they get to see it, but they will be privy to a private tour of a portion of it. In order to be able to do this the students and faculty going had to undergo a background check months in advance.
"It's an opportunity to see the internal workings of the government," said Velasco. "I'm excited about gaining a learning experience of the inner workings of the United States government."
While it is too late for anybody else to go on the trip, it is not too late to join the CJSA. In order to do this, students need to fill out an application. An application can be picked-up at any CJSA table during SGA events or from room 225 in the public service building at the YBOR campus. The filled out application then needs to be turned in to any of the club's board members or advisers.
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