Boys Town Louisiana

The ninth grade class from New Orleans Priestly Architectural and Construction School in front of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

Louisiana Youth Study Architecture While Touring Washington, D.C.

A recent trip to the nation's capital provided a memorable learning experience for two Boys Town Louisiana youths.

Guided by Herman Clayton, Boys Town Louisiana Family-Teacher, the teens toured the Smithsonian, Capitol, Lincoln Memorial and a naval air base in Washington, D.C., with fellow ninth-grade classmates from the Priestly Architectural and Construction School June 2-8.

“Being in the midst of history and art was a valuable experience for them,” said Clayton. “They did an excellent job utilizing the skills they've learned at Boys Town.”

The Priestly Architectural and Construction School is a New Orleans charter high school that strives to provide young people, especially those at-risk, with the academic, vocational, social and leadership skills needed to live as productive members of society, to take responsibility for themselves, their families, and the revitalization of their communities, and to become “active learners” in the process.

One of the boys, 15, said he enjoyed the architecture class and looked forward to the year-end trip to Washington, D.C. “They taught us about landscapes, how to draw a blueprint…and how they made the Superdome,” he said about the architecture class.  

Along with nearly 60 youth who went to D.C., the Boys Town teens completed a daily journal and assignments focusing on the history and architecture of the famous landmarks.  One teen said seeing the Lincoln Memorial while standing at the spot where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., made his famous “I Have a Dream” speech was his most memorable moment of the experience.

Clayton said he is impressed with the curriculum the school provides at-risk youth and is pleased Boys Town youth are able to capitalize on the school's unique offerings.

Both teens plan to attend the school next year and are passing the word on to fellow Boys Town youth about the fun they have while learning at the charter school.  One says he wants to one day become an architect.