Written by: Franka Etkin, Caminos al Futuro 2024
As our heels, flats, and dress shoes tapped against the white marble floor, I couldn’t help but wonder how we got here. The answer is quite simple: a ride on the VEX shuttle, eight stops on the Metro, a three-block walk, and one metal detector later, we were standing in the US Supreme Court. As we walked up the stairs and through the halls, I tried to take in every detail. Every portrait, chandelier, and tile that adorned the building seemed too grand for a group of giggly 16-year-olds to gape at on an average Tuesday.
In the US Supreme Court chamber itself, we heard a lecture from an intern about the basic facts of this historic place. She walked us through the process of a US Supreme Court case, from petition to opinion, and then explained how the court is organized, and who sits where, and when it is in session. Later, we explored the architecture gallery, admired the portraits of past justices, and visited the gift shop before heading to our next Capitol Hill destination.
Our second stop was the Rayburn and Cannon buildings, home to many Congressional offices. There, we visited the offices of Latino congressmen and congresswomen, where interns shared their experiences and advised us on how to attain an internship on the Hill in college.
After a break for lunch, we made our way through the tunnel system that connects the congressional offices to the main US Capitol building. There, we met Carlos Paz, Chief of Staff for Congressman Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), who shared his experience as one of the few Latinos in a position of power in our government. His career has changed over the years, including notable roles with current Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). A few key pieces of career advice he shared included the importance of taking calculated risks and knowing your worth.
After his inspirational words, he showed us around the US Capitol building. The building’s beauty invoked the same feeling I felt earlier that day at the US Supreme Court. I remained in awe as I stood over the first cornerstone of the building laid by George Washington and walked by the plaque marking where Abraham Lincoln’s desk once was. To me, the fact that anyone can visit and learn about these places central to our nation’s foundation reflects our model of government: a democracy by the people, for the people.
Franka Etkin is a 2024 Caminos al Future Scholar. Franka’s views are her own and not necessarily reflective of the Cisneros Institute.