Reporter: Haebin Kim On the 29th of January 2025, Bridge International Christian Academy (BICA, www.bica-tx.org)’s 11 high school volunteers including myself, 9 adult chaperones, 15 students, and two very special guests participated in a visit to the Texas Capitol. This trip was not only an enriching experience, but also a significant reminder of how complex the “Texan” history really is. In order to learn more about the inner workings of our own government and the symbolic meanings of the building, we toured the Capitol and took part in various interactive activities designed to give us a further understanding of Texas' legislative process. The historical significance of the Capitol was also highlighted, from its intricate architecture to the stories behind the artwork and statues that decorate its halls. In fact, our group collectively learned that the Texas Capitol is more than just a building; it's a symbol of Texas' rich and often complex past.
To start the day, our group members congregated at the South Entrance of the building, and headed to our stop of our day: a live session of The House Of Representatives. It was many people’s first time witnessing the representatives in action, including myself. The session was filled with intense but also light-hearted discussions on various bills and issues facing the state, and it was fascinating to see how legislators presented, negotiated, and made speeches in real-time.
Watching the process unfold in person
really highlighted the importance of public policy and how every decision made in that room can impact millions of people, however small. It was an eye-opening experience for me personally, in which deepened my understanding of both the legislative process and the responsibility of the legislators that comes with being a part of such a historic institution. What stood out to me the most was the representation of the East Asian community, for this day was Chinese New Year. With Representative Angie Chen and Hubert Vo sharing their heritage, wishing everyone an “abundance of prosperity” and even speaking in Chinese to commemorate the traditions of this holiday.
Upon exiting the live session, our group made our way to another live session of the Senate. This room, unlike the previous one with its red carpets, was instead lined in green. From my observation, it was prominent that the room seemed slightly smaller and intimate, with far fewer seats for the audience and only a handful of desks, compared to the 100 in the House of Representatives. As the session began, I couldn't help but notice the difference in the energy. The atmosphere felt more focused, perhaps due to the smaller, more enclosed space. The senators seemed more engaged with one another, and the speeches felt more direct, as though each word carried more weight. It was clear that this chamber, while less grand in size, had its own kind of power. Overall, it was a unique experience for me, especially since I had never witnessed a legislative session in person before—only ever seeing them on TV. I had always assumed that the public was kept out of the chamber entirely. However, our viewing of this session ended fairly early, for many of our team were ready for lunch, to say the least.
However, reaching the cafeteria was not an easy task by any means. From walking down the spiraling staircase from the third floor to the underground extension was an experience by itself. After having some minor inconveniences of finding our way, we finally entered the doors to the cafeteria. The space wasn’t large, but the sheer number of people packed inside made it feel a lot more cramped. Despite the tight quarters, I couldn’t help but notice that it felt like a more relaxed side of the building, a sharp contrast to the formality of the chambers we had just left.
Representative Caroline Harris Davilla.
BICA students leaders, Yewon Jo and Samuel Lee led Q and A session with Representative Harris Davila.
After a fulfilling meal, our whole group headed to one of the biggest highlights of our day: a meeting with Representative Caroline Harris Davilla. It was safe to say it was many of the members’ first meeting with a representative, including myself. Two members from our team, Yewon Jo and Samuel Lee, interviewed Representative Davilla on matters regarding her two main areas of interest: school lunches and digital safety. However, before we got to interviewing her, our two special guests gave testimony and an inspiring introduction. Both visitors were defectors from North Korea, who escaped to tell their story today. What stood out to me the most was the dedication of the two speakers, on their story of brutal travel and an even longer journey to where and who they are now. In fact, their journey wasn’t just about escaping a country—it was a tale of survival, resilience, and hope. What struck me the most was the depth of their dedication to sharing their stories. The beyond difficult travels they endured and the sacrifices they made along the way were incredibly moving, but it was their transformation into advocates for freedom and human rights, especially for those who are considered “illegal immigrants” in China that truly left a mark on me. Listening to them, it became clear how powerful the act of telling one’s story can be, especially when it’s meant to inspire others and spark change. Following their testimony, we heard from Representative Davilla on how her journey started as an advocate for change, being one of the youngest Representatives in the legislature. I thought it was very fascinating how she came from a family of 11, and took that as a part of how she came to be and the responsibility she holds. She also spoke on the issue of digital literacy and the impact of healthy meals, saying she was passionate about these topics because of how important they are for students and their daily lives. Overall, I was impressed about the effort she puts into the matters and how much of an amazing speaker she was.
Group photo of Bridge International Christian Academy (Photo: Daniel Park)
Tour of the Capitol Building.
Lastly, to end our day, our group split into two and set off on a fascinating tour of the Capitol Building. Our guide, Tweed, began by sharing a brief history of the building’s origins, highlighting key historical figures who helped shape its legacy. He also threw in some fun facts that kept everyone engaged, like the tedious process of moving the paintings inside the Capitol. Every time a new representative is elected, these artworks are relocated—one by one—a surprisingly time consuming task that reflects the building’s constant evolution and change. As we continued our tour, we again visited the House of Representatives chamber and the Senate chamber, learning the furniture in these rooms have been preserved until now, and that anyone is welcome to view the live sessions in these chambers simply by walking in. In fact, the legislature’s commitment to transparency was evident, as they want the public to witness firsthand the proceedings that impact the nation. It was a fascinating experience, offering a deeper understanding of both the building’s history and the openness of the democratic process. From the incredible artwork and architecture to the grandeur of the building, the tour was a remarkable conclusion to an unforgettable day, and left us all with a newfound appreciation for the Capitol as both a building and a symbol of the nation’s processes.
As we made our way back to the South Entrance, I couldn’t help but think our visit to the Texas Capitol was such an enlightening and memorable experience that not only deepened my understanding of the legislative process but also offered me a unique glimpse into the complexities of Texas' history and culture. From witnessing a live House of Representatives session to meeting with inspiring figures like Representative Caroline Harris Davilla, every part of the day brought our group closer to understanding democracy, public service, and the history behind it all. Furthermore, the tour of the Capitol itself added another aspect of depth to our experience, as we explored its history, art, and the significance of its architecture. Hearing from our own BICA students, Chanyul Kim (10) shared how the trip sparked his interest in politics, saying, “Seeing House and Senate debate gave me a glimpse into how legislation passes, and it made me want to go into this career field.” He also pointed out how impressed he was with Representative Davila’s ability to communicate complex ideas simply and persuasively. “She used her words and time wisely to convey controversial points in a simple and convincing way,” he said. Lastly, he added that his “favorite part of this trip was meeting the representative, along with the testimony of the North Korean students”.
Another BICA member, Yewon Jo (10) spoke about her newfound understanding of the legislative process, noting, “I learned how exactly legislative processes worked in Texas and how a proposal would lead to a law.” She also mentioned the impact of seeing the Senate in action and hearing the senators' speeches, which gave her a deeper appreciation of the process. Ultimately, she concluded that her favorite part of the day was being able to “meet the representative and getting to converse with her”.
All in all, it is evident the Capitol building is much more than just a place where laws are made—it is a symbol of Texas' ongoing progress and a promise to the people. We now carry with us not only a greater appreciation for Texas’ legacy but also a sense of responsibility to appreciate the process of governance, knowing that our voices can contribute to the ongoing story of our communities and the state. It was a day that will surely resonate with all of us, as we reflect on both the lessons learned and the personal connections forged throughout the journey.
Reporter: Haebin Kim is a second-generation Korean-American and is currently a freshman in McNeil high school. She is passionate and involved with art and writing, as well as speech & debate. She is a teaching assistant for BICA (Bridge International Christian Academy) Writing Club starting from 2025. Photos: Daniel Park is a sophomore at Round Rock High School. He enjoys traveling around the world with his family and taking photos of different scenery he finds interesting. He finds joy in music and plays the trumpet and guitar. He has been a student and volunteer of BICA since 2017 and is currently a homework club helper.
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