First-Year Fellows Program Yields Exciting Summer in the D.C. Swamp

When the wondrous halls of Dartmouth College shuttered its doors to the students (save for the sophomores), I set off towards Washington D.C, to partake in the Rockefeller Center’s First Year Fellows program. Joined by 19 other Dartmouth students in a dormitory just a block away from Capitol Hill, my experience this summer was, most fortunately, far from Dartmouth-free.

My days begin brightly: after donning my nifty congressional ID, I put on my backpack and happily saunter to the U.S. Capitol. On the way, I pass the Supreme Court building and smile, knowing that inside, six brave justices are fighting every day to restore the forms of constitutional government that our country has lost. I have enjoyed being in the Capitol city to witness the High Court make groundbreaking, landmark decisions such as striking down the Chevron Doctrine—such moments provided me with optimism, knowing that at least one branch of the government is charting the way forward to restore constitutional originalism and textualism to our legal system. The High Court is always a welcome sight on my walk to and from work.

After arriving in the U.S. Capitol, I eagerly walk into the Longworth Cafeteria, where I begin my day with a couple of bacon, egg, and cheese croissants. Say what you will about the functionality of the U.S. Congress, the dining staff never fails to satiate its many interns and staffers. Diet Coke in hand, I arrive at the office. I have been most fortunate to intern for Congressman Alex Mooney of West Virginia (a Dartmouth ‘93): in his DC office, I partake in research projects, make bill recommendations, and address constituent concerns. I love my job, and I have been grateful for the opportunities that have come with it. To the office of Congressman Mooney, I thank you for a summer well spent and a work experience I would not trade for anything.

My office in particular encouraged interns to actively seek out networking opportunities and to take full advantage of their time in D.C. by finding ways to count. On Fridays, I attend the Foundations of American Statecraft program held by the American Moment organization. In participating in this program, I have heard from some of the leading voices in the conservative movement, including attorneys Jeff Clark and Charles Benoit. The program has enlightened me to the policy proposals of the “new” right, a populist brand of conservatism that is scarcely given time of day by the predominantly neoliberal hegemony in Washington.

Despite being 500 miles from the College on the Hill, I never forget my Dartmouth roots; after work every day, I am graced with the familiar faces of the First-Year Fellows program. Every night is spent recounting our busy days over a meal at the Wharf or on a late-night walk to the National Mall. Although I certainly have my disagreements on policy with most others in the program, I can think of no better group of people to argue about inflation with, as one Fizz user put it.

Weekends allow for us to bike around the metropolis that is our capital city and see every sight that Washington is known for. My personal favorite is the Lincoln memorial – as you walk close enough to the larger-than-life depiction of the 16th President, you begin to realize how necessary it is to see these parts of history in person. Other favorite sights of mine include the Washington Monument, the Library of Congress, and the Jefferson Memorial. The Wharf steals the show for an after-work adventure, though; enjoying a hot dog and a s’more while looking at the boats on the Potomac River makes a trip to D.C. well worth it on its own. 

On July 4th, myself and the fellows were lucky enough to find seats on the steps of the Capitol and see the fireworks firsthand. The musical performance, dare I say, rivaled Green Key, so much so that I would say Darren Criss might have matched Shaggy, and there are not many who can rival Mr. Boombastic, as I am sure all readers know.

The best way I can describe my time in the capital is that it has been a summer void of any dull moments. Every day, there is a new opportunity to pursue if I am looking for one: there is some new research project I can ask to undertake, there is a networking event that I can attend, there is some intern-led organization hosting a breakfast, and there is always potential future employer eager to meet with student interns for coffee; the District of Columbia is what you make of it. It is up to the student with the opportunity to put in the work to make their time in D.C. worthwhile; in this sense, I have been grateful to have the opportunity to come here.

Fortunately, by participating in the First-Year Fellows program, I got to spend ⅔ of my summer with others from Dartmouth. As I head back to the College on the Hill, and as the November election takes shape and nears, I am returning to Hanover more passionate than ever to use my education for good. I am grateful to my school, to my employer, to Rocky, and to the other First-Year Fellows for giving me the tools I need to continue to figure out how I can use my skills to better the country. Now, I must brace myself as I prepare to trade these busy streets for the quiet Hanover Green