Visiting British students trip to DC impacted by London attack

While a group of British students began a two-day trip from Randolph-Macon Academy to the White House and U.S. Capitol on March 22, some unexpected drama erupted when a lone terrorist attacked England’s House of Parliament in London.

First word of the terrorist incident was telephoned to R-MA’s Michael Williams, who was leading the exchange group of 18, by my wife Carol.  The group included eight pupils and two teachers from Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, in the U.K., R-MA host students, three teachers, and me!

R-MA Director of Student Life Michael Williams and seven of his eight British guests prepare to hit the road to D.C. on March 22. Courtesy Photos/R-MA

The kids, on a school bus traveling east on I-66, were not immediately told of the incident in their home country until the situation was clarified by following the news on i-phones. They were advised while awaiting a tour of the White House and picked up further information from many strategically placed television sets as they toured Capitol Hill, as guests of Senator Mark Warner (D-Va).

Meanwhile, Williams had contacted by cell phone the father of one of the 9^th grade British students, Sir Colin Smith, O.B.E., who told us he was en route from 10 Downing Street, the prime minister’s residence, when the terrorist incident occurred.  He was apparently caught in traffic jam caused by the lock down of the parliament buildings, which adjoin the famous clock tower known as Big Ben and the Westminster Bridge where the incident began.

TV image of scene near Parliament in aftermath of lone-wolf terrorist attack that killed 3, injured scores more in London. Reports indicated visiting French students were in vicinity, may have been among injured. Photo/Roger Bianchini

In an unfortunate circumstance involving security at the White House, the Secret Service had denied admission to guess who? – The son of Sir Colin, visiting student Alfie Smith, due to an administrative snafu!

Otherwise, staff (except Williams and Smith), and British and American 9^th graders from Front Royal, were among the first since White House tours to visit 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue after it reopened to the public earlier this month. Williams stayed with Smith outside the White House while the remainder toured the building.

The R-MA-Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School group on the White House grounds.

Later, during a tour of Capitol Hill led by two aides from the Virginia senator’s office, more ‘high drama’ occurred – we were advised that the rotunda, beneath the capitol dome, a principal tourist attraction, was closed due to a rowdy public demonstration by people opposed to the Republican Party’s proposed health care bill designed to replace President Obama’s Affordable Care Act.

The group – minus me, who was there on March 22 because I am credited with founding the R-MA-Queen Elizabeth’s international exchange some 15 years ago – returned to Washington with Williams and their chaperones by bus the following day to tour the monuments, museums and Arlington Cemetery.

The Brits return to England Monday, March 27, and the R-MA students hosts will visit the British School, situated about 130 miles north of London, in June.