WASHINGTON, D.C. (WJRT) -
(03/08/13) - For a group of local school students, it was a chance of a lifetime – a tour of the White House during a class trip to our nation's capitol this weekend. But, it's not turning out as planned.
The eighth graders from the Holy Family School in Grand Blanc posed for pictures in front of the White House Friday, but they would have much rather been inside.
"We were learning a lot about the White House, and we were excited to come and stuff," said student Gracie Snyder.
The students were scheduled to take a tour of America's most famous residence Saturday, but before they left for Washington, they got some bad news.
"We were watching the news, and we saw that all tours would be canceled starting on Saturday, and we were really disappointed," said student Abbey Clothier.
"When we heard we couldn't go, we were just devastated. We were really looking forward to learning more about 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW," said student Imani Taylor.
Friday was the last day for scheduled tours. The shutdown goes into effect Saturday until further notice.
"The Secret Service, like other agencies of federal government, is affected by the sequester," explained White House Press Secretary Jay Carney. "And in order for the Secret Service to best fulfill its core mission, the White House made the decision that we would have to temporarily suspend these tours."
House speaker John Boehner took advantage of the situation, saying the Capitol Building will continue with tours as scheduled.
"I think it's disappointing the Obama Administration didn't follow our lead and find savings in other parts of their budget. I think it's silly that they've insisted on locking down the White House," Boehner said.
But these kids – and so many other tourists to our nation's capitol - don't care whose fault it is. They just want to take in the historical sites. And luckily, there are a lot of them here.
"We're going to the Washington Monument, the Capitol Building, and probably go to the Smithsonian Museum," Clothier said.
"We'll still have fun together and make memories that will last a lifetime," Snyder said.
The students return home to Michigan on Monday.
