Students from West New York visit Washington DC for Student Lens Project

Ten elite video students from Memorial High School and West New York Middle School had the opportunity to participate in Optimum Community’s "Student Lens" program with Congressman Albio Sires on June 10th in Washington, D.C. The students were given an in depth look at our nation’s capital first hand by the Congressman. The day began with a sit down interview with Congressman Sires, followed by lunch in the “Members Only” dining room, where the students traded stories and talked about their future aspirations with the Congressman. After lunch, they took a visit to the House Gallery. A bill was being discussed that sparked some questions, and the Congressman was able to explain both sides of the issue as well as the voting process. The video production students then had the opportunity to get footage of Statuary Hall and the U.S. Capitol’s Rotunda, and got a tour of the grounds while conducting a walking interview with the Congressman. After wrapping up the interview and day with the Congressman, the students found a location to shoot the opening and closing for the piece with the eye catching Washington monument as the back drop. There will be a screening event later this year to premier the final Student Lens video.