Carlos, Class of 2016, graduated from the University of the District of Columbia with a B.S. in Architecture and now works as a virtual design and construction engineer for Whiting-Turner in Washington, D.C. He’s slated to be the first speaker of the fall for the Career Lunch and Learn series in the High School, where professionals talk about their work and offer career advice to students. (Interested in giving a career talk to students? Contact Leila Corcoran, Capital City Internship Coordinator.)
"Everyone thanks Capital City for their writing and public speaking skills. As an architecture student, I had to present every week or two. I would prepare beforehand but was also able to improvise and take criticism well. Those four years of high school at Capital City, especially senior expedition, gets you over your nervousness about speaking in front of people and explaining your work."
His senior expedition paved his professional path. "Researching and writing about gentrification in the city, got me interested in architecture, what you could do with an existing building. It’s interesting architecturally, but the effect it has isn’t great." Carlos loves how the thriving network of Capital City alumni help each other find jobs. "When you’re all very good friends, everyone sets each other up," he explains.
That kind of caring is also reflected in the way teachers and students stay in touch long after their time in the classroom has passed.
When Capital City graduates have questions about science, High School Anatomy teacher Binni Chadda is the go-to. "I’ve heard from Kiara (Class of 2019) and Shanyce ( Class of 2020) and most recently, Jennifer (Class of 2020) Facetimed to ask about a virtual slide on tissues she examining," says Ms. Chadda. "Students tell me that the content they learned in Anatomy class plus the interactive notebook I had them keep helps them with college Biology and Anatomy."
Just last week, High School Dance Instructor Tyra Jackson sent dance videos to Makai (Class of 2020) after he got in touch with her to say how much he missed dance.
Throughout the fall, Ben Williams, 12th grade History teacher, has been helping Jessica (Class of 2020) navigate bureaucratic hurdles in order to register to vote in Tennessee where she’s a Posse Scholar attending Sewanee, the University of the South. They’ve scheduled a time to talk over the local candidates, so Jessica knows who’s on the ballot when she walks into the voting booth.
"I asked Mr. Williams because I had learned a lot in his class my senior year about voting and was able to register in D.C. through him, so I figured he would help me register in Tennessee," explains Jessica.
"I was honored and happy that a former student would think of me and reach out when she had questions," says Williams. "I want my students to be active and engaged in the political process and empowered to vote. I tell them all the time, ’Democracy is not a spectator sport. You have to be in the game and participate to make a difference.’"
Jessica has been encouraging her friends to vote. "This is my first time voting. I think it’s important to vote because it’s a chance for people to select a representative who will address issues that are important to individuals and communities. Capital City helped shape my perspective through the way we learned, such as Socratic seminars and debates. Although I might not agree with a side, the learning style taught me to see the arguments on both ends."