So long, farewell

Day ten- 3 hours of sleep, 2 weeks in D.C. and 1 really big credit card bill

Well, it’s finally here—the last day of our D.C. adventure. After spending so much time imagining what this experience would be like, it feels surreal to have reached the end. I could have graduated two semesters ago based on my credits, but I purposefully waited so I could take part in this program. I’m so glad I did, because D.C. truly represents endless possibilities. As the nation’s capital, it carries a certain prestige, but that same status can also overshadow the city’s unique character. Yet, as we learned this morning—and as one of our presenters said—“the world gathers in D.C.,” pandas and all!

My view on an afternoon walk

Final Presentations at 555

This morning, our class gathered one last time in 555 to present our group projects. While each presentation had a distinct focus, three common themes emerged:

A strong emphasis on D.C. itself
The methods and audiences of our storytelling
The responsibility to share stories truthfully with the public

Here’s a quick look at the four groups:

Cherry Blossoms
They explored how America is a tapestry of diverse perspectives, starting with their own unique backgrounds. They compared America to a mosaic, tying each of their chosen objects to themes of hope and freedom.
Chili Bowls (my group!)
Our presentation highlighted the contributions of women from the D.C. area to American culture. Despite some teammates falling ill and minimal time for a full run-through, I’m proud of how our project turned out. Everyone worked incredibly hard, and our action prompts were well-received—an encouraging sign that collaboration and trust carried us across the finish line.
#RockCreek
Their big idea was that “the world gathers in D.C.” They backed this up with an eclectic set of objects—ranging from protest buttons to live pandas—that might have seemed random on their own, but the presentation brought it all together beautifully. They tailored their content for eighth graders, making sure educators could easily incorporate it into lessons. I especially loved their use of “buttons” for supplemental information, showing they had a firm grasp on the storymap platform.
Go-Gos
Unlike most of us who aimed at younger teens, this group designed their project for undergraduate Journalism majors. Their central theme was the importance of ethical reporting when covering the private lives of public figures—a timely topic in an era grappling with journalistic integrity. They used houses as their objects, a fitting choice to illustrate the boundary between private and public life. Each house was introduced in a deliberate order, going from a lighter example to a heavier one. I also appreciated their “media connections,” which gave students prompts for deeper consideration of these issues.

left to right: the gogos, the chili bowls, #rockcreek

Reflecting on Our Seminar

My brain is feeling very mushy and sluggish right now, but I can still see the clear threads woven through our seminar: responsible storytelling and the conscious inclusion of historically marginalized voices in every conversation. These themes surfaced across all our final projects, proving how deeply they resonated with us. As emerging museum professionals, we have an obligation to follow the positive trends set by our colleagues and use the knowledge from experiences like this to further shape and improve the field.

A Heartfelt Thank You

To my wonderful classmates, our dedicated teachers, and the museum professionals who shared their time and expertise: thank you. I’m leaving D.C. with new questions, fresh inspiration, and a rekindled sense of wonder about the stories that connect us all. Though it’s bittersweet to say goodbye, I’m excited for what lies ahead