Maggie Walker’s We the People Team 27 studies the Constitution every day. They debate and discuss, learn and understand, listen and question, but experiential learning offers an entirely new perspective. Led by their teacher and coach Mr. Samuel Ulmschneider, Team 27 spent three days at the place of the founding of America’s Constitution: Philadelphia.

Day one started bright and early at Staples Mill Amtrak Station, where Team 27 gathered at six A.M. About a half an hour later, the team was on their way to DC, roughly seated by unit placements. Members spent their time napping, preparing PowerPoints for a team bonding session, listening to one of Mr. Ulmschneider’s mandatory podcast suggestions, or working on miscellaneous homework, and soon the train arrived in William H. Grey Station in Philadelphia. 

Wasting no time, Mr. U led the group of 24 on a brisk 40-minute walk through Center City, Philadelphia, to the hotel, where students unpacked and checked into rooms. They then walked one block over to Reading Terminal Market, a marketplace for local Philadelphia vendors, which was adjacent to the hotel and proved to be a convenient dining option for the team. One of Tanvi Palavalas’ (‘25) favorite meals of the trip was a “delicious lamb gyro at Kamal’s.”

Following lunch, the team headed on another brisk walk to experience the most central document of the class: The Constitution. Walking into the National Constitution Center, Luna Forlano (‘25) was mesmerized by the “high atrium, inspiring quotes plastered on walls, and flags surrounding the second floor.” First, the team ventured upstairs to the Signer’s Hall exhibit, where they walked alongside life-size bronze statues of the founders at the Constitutional Convention, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and Gouvernor Morris—Mr. U’s favorite founder. Directly next to the Signers’ Hall exhibit was an exhibit on the Bill of Rights, which included an interactive map comparing global constitutions. Ritvika Palani (‘25) commented, “The map will be really helpful for my future research, as my Unit focuses specifically on combining international perspectives and applying constitutional principles in contemporary debates.” 

After walking amongst life-sized founders, the team split up into their respective groups, called “Units,” where each Unit explored exhibits relevant to their focus. For instance, Unit 6 focused on the Civil War and Reconstruction exhibit to learn about the enduring legacies of slavery and how they impact federalism today. Unit 5 focused on the Bill of Rights exhibit to explore the tension between the First Amendment’s religious Free Exercise and Establishment clauses. Every team walked through “The Story of We The People” exhibit, a display that illuminates America’s constitutional history through innovative exhibits, films and photographs, and interactive activities. The team also got to witness Freedom Rising, a stirring 17-minute live performance that details the journey of America from the founding of our nation to the present. This vibrant theatrical production features 360-degree multimedia and a live narrator who tells the story of the U.S. Constitution in the National Constitution Center’s Sidney Kimmel Theater. Sonia Chornodolsky (‘25) loved the performance, likening it to “if slam poetry and theater had a baby.” 

Following a packed day at the Constitution Center, the team split into their individual Units and explored Philadelphia, walking within a 1-mile radius to a dinner place for a Unit-bonding dinner. With the hotel situated in Philadelphia’s Chinatown, many Units indulged in either local Chinese or other Asian restaurants. Palani led her unit to Vietnam Restaurant, her “mom’s favorite restaurant in the whole city.” Palani and her Unit also walked a few blocks to Philadelphia’s Christmas Village, a Christmas market featuring local Philadelphia vendors. Sipping on hot chocolate, gazing at a 50-foot-tall tree, and taking in the fresh air, Palani and her Unit got to experience Philadelphia through a new lens. Venturing back to the hotel, most of the team immediately went to sleep, gearing up for tomorrow’s adventures.

On Day 2, the team woke up, raring to go. The first stop of the day was the Museum of the American Revolution, featuring artifacts and stories starting from when America was still the British colonies and moving through the Philadelphia Convention, where the Constitution was first written. The prize piece of the museum was George Washington’s tent, the one he slept in during the Revolutionary War, symbolizing the general’s humility and camaraderie with his troops.

Then, just a short hop-skip away, was Independence Hall, where the Constitutional Convention occurred, alongside the original Congress building. Inside the hall, the team was given a tour of an original colonial-era courtroom and the room where it happened—exactly positioned as it was all those years ago. Then, the team got a look at original copies of the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution, of which the latter was Washington’s own personal copy! Finally, they got another tour around where the first Senate and House of Representatives met. 

Next, the team crossed the street to the Liberty Bell, where students walked through an exhibit explaining how the Liberty Bell united—and divided—decades of Americans. At the end of the short exhibit was the Liberty Bell itself, crack and all. “To feel united by one cracked bell, flawed but perfect, truly made me feel American,” Palani commented. Alongside the Maggie Walker students touring the Liberty Bell, some students also met European tourists, who were just as interested in American history as we were. “I never expected Europeans to visit the Liberty Bell,” Palavalas commented. “Talking to [the European tourists] broadened my perspective on who cares about our history and who doesn’t.” Throughout both Day 1 and Day 2, Mr. U answered students’ random questions, explained fun facts, and encouraged students to think critically. 

After a long day of museum touring, the team returned to the hotel, where they participated in team bonding activity: PowerPoint Night. With over 20 high schoolers crammed into one hotel room, each Unit presented their humorously crafted PowerPoints to the rest of the Units that were sprawled out the beds, the floor, and chairs. Unit 1 ranked every country’s cuisine from S-tier (superior) to F-tier, according to their opinions. Unit 4 imagined the Hamilton Musical cast as members of WTP Team 27. Winston Crane (‘25) was Alexander Hamilton, as he embodies “main character energy.” Amidst laughs, burnt popcorn, and shushing that was louder than the actual voices they were shushing, Unit 6 presented Spotify Wraps for each unit. Unit 1 was dubbed “Pink Princess Strut Pilates Pop,” because according to Palavalas, the combination of Brenden Stremler (‘25), Olin Gunlicks (‘25), and Crane embodies that.  Saying goodbyes, everyone ventured back to their own rooms to get a good night’s rest before the team’s last night in Philadelphia.

Day 3 was what “you made of it,” said Forlano. Giving the team an opportunity to sleep in, Mr. U offered the team a couple options on how to spend their time before walking to the train station in the afternoon. Some chose to stay in the hotel for a relaxed morning, others decided to go on Mr. U’s tour of Philadelphia’s monuments. Forlano, along with a group of roughly 10 other students, chose to accompany Mr. U, who led them throughout Philadelphia, stopping at historical monuments and detailed facts, people, buildings, and stories often forgotten today. Passing by both the first and second bank buildings of the United States, Mr. U quipped about the Federalist and Anti-Federalist debates about the establishment of a national bank. Standing in Benjamin Rush Garden, he narrated the life of Benjamin Rush, a Founding Father that many history classes forget to teach, who, among several notable accomplishments, saved numerous soldiers in Washington’s Army by introducing basic hygiene practices. Though slightly cold, Forlano enjoyed Mr. U’s additions of niche knowledge, as it “taught [her] that there’s so much to learn.” After around two hours of walking across Philadelphia, the team regrouped in the hotel, and prepared for their walk to the train station.

As students reflect on their three days in Philadelphia, they are appreciative of both the Foundation and school’s support of the We The People program. Palani comments, “This was one of the most fun school trips I’ve ever been on, and I’m thankful that being a MLWGS student gives me these opportunities.” Students are also immensely thankful for their fearless leader, teacher, and coach: Mr. U. Palavalas says, “In a 10-minute conversation with Mr. U, I think I’ve learned more than I could have by reading three Politico articles. His continued support, hard work, commitment to civic education, passion, and compassion is visible in everything he does, and we’re so lucky to have him as a role model.” The team’s Philadelphia trip was a wonderful bonding and educational experience before the team gets busy with competitions, gearing up for continued Constitutional learning.