Government Shutdown Affects Ponca City Students

The students have been working on reports and raising money since last year preparing for their trip to Washington D.C.

Yesterday Gary Watter’s eighth grade class from First Lutheran in Ponca City arrived in Washington D.C fully prepared.

They had plans to visit at least two Smithsonian museums, tour the capitol and much more.

However, last night congress couldn’t agree on a funding bill.

Non-essential government agencies, including national museums were on shutdown starting today.

Watter’s said several Poncan’s have contacted him providing suggestions.

“I had Earl Holle in Ponca City call me and his cousin works for the Wasington National’s baseball team, the professional baseball team,” Watters said. “He called him and we’re probably going to take a tour of Washington National stadium in the next couple of days. We’re setting that up. ”

The students went to the supreme court and National Geographic museum today.

Tomorrow they will visit the Arlington Cemetery.

That was not the plan, but Watter’s and parent supervisors are making alternate plans day-by-day.

Also, many tours and tickets were bought prior to the trip and will not be refunded.

Resulting in a lot of out of pocket expenses.

Brook Dyer, a parent supervisor said the students are upset with the government.

“So, they were excited and hyped up to see the holocaust museum,” Dyer said. “That was one of them they were very excited to see and they were closed.”

Dyer said it is not nearly as busy or loud as her previous visit to Washington D.C.

Except all the news reporters surrounding the capitol.

The Associated Press stopped the group as they were walking into the supreme court.

After that they were contacted by News 9 out of Oklahoma City and Fox News.