2026 DC Learning Journey Begins…

Shannon Kelly, Values Program Director

On April 25th, the Mount Madonna School (MMS) junior class, along with the Values in World Thought Program Leader, Shannon Kelly, and chaperones Greg Shirley, Chelsea Otterness, and Masina Hunnicutt, will travel to Washington, D.C. The week will be filled with tours and interviews with an array of individuals, such as Congressman Panetta, Mary Ford, VP of Root and Shoots, and Founder of Running Start, Susannah Wellford, a long-term supporter of the Values In World Thought program. You can find a full list of individuals we will be speaking with on our blog. 

The Government in Action program was started in 1989 by Sadanand Ward Mailliard. Over the years, Mount Madonna School students have been fortunate to meet and interview some of our nation’s finest public servants. The Washington, D.C. learning journey is an integral part of the “Values in World Thought” program at Mount Madonna School. This unique trip to Washington, D.C. provides MMS juniors with a direct personal experience of those who devote their lives to public service. 

In a time of division, the Government in Action program provides our students the opportunity to actively listen with open minds and hearts. We believe that we can positively impact the world by engaging in conversations of meaning, being curious, and being open to learning from people with different perspectives and lived experiences. 

Students will write and share their reflections on the blog. Please follow along here!