Several students and teachers are taking part in an optional afterschool field trip Friday at 2 pm to Ben’s Chili Bowl. The trip, organized by DC History teacher Mr. Dumas, will include an interview with Vida Ali, the current owner and daughter of founders Ben & Virginia Ali, to discuss and learn more about the history of U Street. The restaurant is located at 1213 U Street NW, next to Lincoln Theatre and has been a meeting place for civil rights leaders throughout the neighborhood’s history since its founding in 1958. The restaurant has survived the tumult of the late 60’s race riots and the revitalization and gentrification of the U Street Corridor in the 90’s. Mr. Findler, who previously taught the American history and D.C. history courses, had also taken students to visit the historic site.

Friday fifth grade theater students will perform scenes from Matilda, Newsies, Bye Bye Birdie, and Hairspray. The fifth graders, under Mr. Balwdin’s direction have been practicing singing, dancing, dialogue and monologues throughout the semester. Mr. Baldwin also directs sixth graders in theater class, and the schoolwide musical, including this year’s production of In the Heights. 

Middle school students in the Girls on the Run program will compete in the Community 5K at Freedom Plaza on Sunday at 9:00 AM. Running buddies alongside them will be a number of parent volunteers and Ms. Lee-Bey, Ms. Izurieta, Ms. Eleby-El, and Ms. Collins.

Senior Samantha Anderson has been selected to join the Team USA Under 18 Dragon Boat Team. Anderson’s current Washington D.C. area dragon boat team, the Capital City Dragons, coached by James Dunbar, was the dragon boat champion at a festival this past weekend. The Capital City Dragons practice in Anacostia Community Boathouse, and are currently seeking paddlers between the ages of twelve and eighteen to join over the summer. Interested students can email Anderson at sanderson@students.latinpcs.org