AUBURN – Tavian MacKinnon, a student at St. Dominic Regional High School, took part in Presidential Classroom’s National Security in a Democracy Program, June 25 to July 2 in Washington, D.C.

The program focused on the relationships between the National Security Council, Congress, the intelligence community, the military, defense industries and the media, and their roles in developing and protecting national security. More than 280 other high school juniors and seniors from 45 states participated.

The week began with a tour of Gettysburg Battlefield. Besides seminars and speakers, activities included visits to the National Security Agency and Central Intelligence Agency headquarters, appointments with government representatives on Capitol Hill, touring historic sites and a performance by Twilight Tattoo.

A nonprofit, nonpartisan civic education organization, Presidential Classroom offered seven programs in 2005. For more information, contact Presidential Classroom at 119 Oronoco St., Alexandria, Va. 22314-2058, 1-800-441-6533 or visit the Web at www.presidentialclassroom.org.