WASHINGTON, D.C. — Students from the Georgetown University School of Nursing, and Health Studies’ Pathways to Success program – supported by founding sponsor The Goldman Sachs Foundation — met with a special guest from Capitol Hill on Wednesday, July 11.

Rep. John T. Salazar, D-Colo., and his wife Mary Lou Salazar visited the high school students during the program’s Colorado cultural dinner, held in McShain Lounge on Georgetown University’s campus.

“I am so proud of all of you,” said Salazar. “You are the future of this great country.”

Pathways engages upcoming juniors and seniors from rural America in innovative science and health studies; encourages them to attend college; and showcases careers in biomedical science, health care, and science technology.

Since its inception in 2002, more than 90 students and adult mentors have participated. This year, students are attending from Colorado, Louisiana, and South Dakota. The program ran from June 25 to July 16.

During the three-week program, each community hosts a dinner featuring regional food. At the Colorado dinner, students and mentors served a variety of food, including rice, homemade tortillas, two kinds of chili, and chips and salsa.

“It’s really good to smell the Southwest food,” Salazar noted.

The day before the dinner, students met with the Congressman’s brother, Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., who provided them with alfalfa from their home state. They used the crop to create table centerpieces at the dinner.

Pathways students are also visiting Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-La., Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, D-S.D., a graduate of Georgetown University and Georgetown University Law Center.

At the Colorado dinner, Salazar congratulated his niece, Alyssa Salazar of Manassa, Colo., who is one of the high school participants, on her achievements.

“It makes my eyes well up with pride,” he said.