Sunnyside Elementary School
Kellogg, Idaho

Day 1 - Cedris and I arrived in D.C. from Reagan National after flying out of Missoula.  The camera was packed and we didn't get any pictures.  Lots of security and more as we drew closer to D.C.  M-16's were at the ready at the security gates at National.  Checked in at the J.W. Marriott on Pennsylvania which is about two blocks from the White House. We went for a walk in the rain and had a snack before retiring for the night.  

Day 2 - Sightseeing
We awoke to clear skies and took these pictures of the view from our room...a very nice view, wouldn't you say?

We dressed and had breakfast at a nearby Starbucks and then walked across the Mall  to tour the Holocaust Museum.  We recommend that everyone visit this museum...quite a sobering experience.

We then walked the length of the Mall to the Capitol with a stop for lunch in the sun near the Air and Space Museum.  Stopped to look at the sculpture garden and found a familiar statue...not as cool as the real thing in Paris, however.  We noticed a commotion across from the Capitol...kids screaming...a satellite t.v. van...and went to check it out.  We found a man in a white fur coat at the center of the commotion.  Showing our age, we didn't know who he was, so Cedris asked one of the teenage girls standing nearby and was told: "M.C. Hammer, fool!"

We walked over to Senator Crapo's office and had a brief visit with him in the Dirkson Building.  We then went to Senator Craig's office in the Hart Building, but he was getting ready to have a staff meeting concerning closing the building due to the anthrax problem.  We left and went to the Senate gallery where we watched Sen. Byrd from West VA. speaking on the floor.  As we left, they ushered us out another door, due to another anthrax scare.  Lots of security everywhere...

We headed back down Pennsylvania Ave. to the hotel.  Along the way, we stopped and took pictures of the Navy Memorial for Uncle Jim.

Later that evening, we took pictures again from our hotel room window. Neat view at night, too.

Day 3 - The NDP Orientation and Introductions - State Department Reception

This was the first day of the National Distinguished Principal program.  We went to the convention area of the hotel and registered.

There I met the President of the National Association of Elementary Principals, Darryl Rud.  He is from Billings, MT and is very personable.  I also met and talked with Vince Ferrandino, the NAESP Director.
 

After lunch, the orientation and introductions began.  On display as we entered the room was a picture drawn by Skyler Anderson, a boy from Sunnyside, so we had to get a picture of it to bring back   

Each of the sixty-four NDP's were introduced and allowed two minutes to speak.  I stayed within my two-minutes (I know....hard to believe!), but many did not.  Lot's of interesting stories.  I talked about how much the award met to my community and to my mother and family.  The session lasted three and 1/2 hours.

We had a brief rest following the introductions, and then boarded the buses to the U.S. State Department for a reception. The security was very tight.  Several levels before we were in the building.  Pictured, is Judy Thomas, our zone director as we waited in line.

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 The reception hall area contains millions of dollars of donated antiquities.  A piano was playing in the corner of the room...turns out it was Harry Truman's...the one used to accompany his daughter, Margaret.

An honor guard was introduced representing all branches of the military...and the National Anthem was played.  It was a very touching moment as all of us in the room sang along...and this was followed by speeches by the NAESP President, the Undersecretary of State, and others welcoming us.

We found time to wander out to the balcony overlooking the National Mall...what a view captured at sundown and after dark in these pictures.

We also followed the curator for the State Department antique collection as she explained about each of the important pieces on display there...

The Jefferson desk, where portions of the Declaration of Independence were reportedly written.
 

The Treaty of Paris desk, where Benjamin Franklin was said to have signed the Treaty of Paris.

and other pieces...the dresser on the right is the most expensive of those on display...$3.2 million...the picture of Washington is a Gilbert Stewart original.
   

Day 4 - Discussion Groups
Much of the second day of the NDP program was spent in discussion groups.  We met and discussed many things with those in our zone and with people from the other zones.

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1. The two California NDP's. 2. Arizona's NDP.  3. Discussion groups in action...  4. Gabe Flicker, the private school NDP from Pocatello Idaho's Grace Lutheran School 5. Gabe Flicker and Zone 9 Director Judy Thomas  6. Hawaii's NDP Clayton Fujie

After another brief break...it was on to the gala awards banquet in the hotel ballroom.  Cedris was beautiful in her long lovely gown.  Pictured here are all of the Zone 9 NDP's...two many to fit in one picture.

We then assumed our places at our assigned tables.  Pictured here is our table and my place setting...and Judy, her daughter, and her son-in-law who were seated at our table.

At the front of the room were all of the certificates and special bells that we each would receive...

The banquet's dessert was a miniature white chocolate White House filled with chocolate mousse.  Yum!
 

After eating dinner and speeches by the dignitaries, we each were presented our awards. Pictured here are the Idaho private school NDP Gabe Flicker, the Washington NDP (from the Juanita school district), and the NDP from Vermont (he and I became good friends during the two days).

After a champagne toast, we all rang our bells and gathered for a group picture...I am to the left of the flag.  Dancing followed...what a wonderful evening.

Day 5 - More Sightseeing

We spent all day Saturday sightseeing.  We walked down to the White House after breakfast and took these pictures.  The security was tight...Pennsylvania Ave. is closed with an armed guard, lots of police on foot an horses, as well as the heavy guard seen on top of the mansion itself.

We walked across the Elipse to the base of the Washington Monument where we caught the Tourmobile. The first stop was the Jefferson Memorial...

Then on to the FDR Memorial Park...the sculpture and the waterfalls are beautiful...a quiet place to visit and contemplate his many accomplishments.

We hiked from there to the nearby National Mall and visited the Korean War Memorial.

Then on to the base of the Lincoln Memorial...

and took pictures of the site of the new WWII Memorial being constructed at the far end of the reflecting pool.

We took the Tourmobile back to the other end of the mall and went to lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe...Ford's Theater is next door.

We returned to the Hotel and packed before attending a Washington Wizzard's pre-season game at the MCI Center where we watched Michael Jordan and his team lose to the New Jersey Nets.

Day 6 - Flying Home

We left the hotel at around 5:30 a.m. and made the long trip home...we slept most of the way...dreaming of the wonderful trip we had just enjoyed.