Where History Inspires the Future: Students Explore Washington DC with Project Success and the Minnesota Vikings
This May a group of 11 Minneapolis high school students, each representing their own high school, attended a Project Success Expedition to Washington DC with Project Success and the Minnesota Vikings. The trip combined powerful visits to museums including the National Museum of African American History & Culture, a tour of Howard University, Project Success workshops, and spending time with Minnesota Vikings players. All of these experiences offered students an opportunity to dream and plan for their futures.
After arriving in Washington DC on Wednesday evening, students started their first day in the city on Thursday with a trip to Howard University. Students participated in a campus tour, learned about the admissions process, talked with current students about everyday college life, and considered whether Howard fit into their future plans. The day of their visit was graduation day which added another level of learning and inspiration. After the tour and a chance to stop at the bookstore for souvenirs and apparel, students participated in a workshop led by PS Senior Facilitator, Alana. They reflected on the tour and provided thoughtful observations about their experience, noting “it was great to see a majority of people that looked like me on campus,” and that they loved the architecture and “I could really see myself applying here”.
“Project Success is a great opportunity to make new connections and to motivate you to achieve greater things.” – Edison Student
That evening, the group had dinner together with Minnesota Vikings current players, legends and staff, as well as representatives from Tradehome Shoes. It was an evening of sharing stories, advice on how to achieve your goals, and guidance on how to overcome challenges. The evening ended on a high note when students were given $1,000 scholarships to use for their post-secondary plans and a brand new pair of Nike Airforce 1s, courtesy of Tradehome Shoes and the Minnesota Vikings. This incredible generosity was truly appreciated by each student and was such a special surprise. The partnership of the Vikings and Tradehome Shoes speaks to their belief and support of investing in students and their futures. The entire evening was incredibly inspiring!
The following morning before the museum opened, Project Success, the Minnesota Vikings, and Tradehome Shoes participated in a private tour of the National Museum of African American History & Culture. A curator led them through the History Galleries, where everyone learned new information and gained a deeper understanding of our country’s and world’s history, each of our own histories, and African American history and culture. Afterwards, the entire group reflected together on what they learned that day and discussed how they would take that knowledge with them moving forward, and how to bring that back to their communities.
“Something that surprised me was the fact that I made so many new friends despite the short amount of time.” – PS Student
On the final day of the Project Success Expedition, the group spent the morning at the Holocaust Museum. Through the exhibits and tour at the Holocaust Museum, everyone gained a deeper understanding of the historical facts around what led to the Holocaust and the Holocaust’s impact. One student shared “after visiting both museums, it became more clear to me the importance of knowing history and the facts about history. I’m surprised at the things I didn’t know and I’m excited to bring this knowledge back to my community.”
Students then toured the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial before heading to the airport to return to Minneapolis. From exploring historic museums, to touring a renowned university, to forming connections with Minnesota Vikings players, the Project Success team, and other students across Minneapolis, the trip was filled with inspiration and personal discovery. The lessons gained on this trip have opened new doors, broadened perspectives, and empowered students to dream bigger about their futures while gaining confidence through new experiences.