Washington, D.C.
I represent Washington D.C. because my upbringing among its grand monuments has compelled me to look beneath the capital's facade to find the human labor that sustains our democratic ideals.
I explore the narrative of "invisible civic labor"—the archivists, librarians, and federal service workers who maintain the ethical and functional life of democracy without public recognition. While D.C. is celebrated as a city of visible power and policymakers, these individuals are the true "poets" of the state who safeguard our national memory. I am documenting their daily rituals as a form of moral citizenship that exists beyond the spectacle of political authority.
This story matters because a republic that honors only visible power while ignoring its foundational laborers undermines its own moral soul. By centering these excluded voices, we reconcile democratic ideals with human experience and ensure that citizenship remains grounded in contribution rather than status alone.
—Angela Yan
Angela Yan
Chapter Leader
Angela Yan is a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in northern Virginia, where she serves as editor-in-chief for the Latin Club magazine. Her interest in digital and public humanities led her to the Global Narrative Initiative. Growing up near Washington, D.C., frequent visits to the Smithsonian museums and the National Mall, as well as witnessing high-profile political events and protests, inspired her project. Through archival research and oral history interviews with civic workers, she explored how they preserve public trust, expand access to knowledge, and strengthen communities. She hopes to highlight the individuals whose essential contributions to democracy are often unseen. Outside of research, Angela enjoys singing and songwriting, playing volleyball, and reading fiction.
The research conducted by the Washington, D.C. chapter of GNI 10 centers around invisible civic labor, aiming to foster greater public appreciation of the service and cultural workers whose essential efforts to sustain democratic life and preserve national memory often go unrecognized.
Team Members
Ashley Yan
Deborah Torrico-Pardo
Ashley Yan is a sophomore at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Northern Virginia, where she participates in debate and Ethics Bowl. Through debate, she has researched a wide range of policy-related issues, sparking her interest in government. She believes that truly understanding democracy requires looking beyond prominent leaders and institutions to listen to the voices of everyday citizens whose lives are shaped by government decisions. This led her to interview an AP Government teacher as part of the Global Narrative Initiative. Outside of school, Ashley enjoys singing, running, and reading.
Deborah Torrico-Pardo is a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology who is deeply interested in the intersection of science and public policy. At school, she participates in Congressional Debate, and she joined the Global Narrative Initiative to become more immersed in the community around her and to bridge the gap between policy and human reality. Through writing for this project, she was able to learn how real-world impact begins by elevating the lived experiences of individuals. Documenting these narratives allowed her to explore how personal stories influence our understanding of public life, reinforcing the power of preserving voices that might otherwise go unheard.
Ami Le
Sophia D'Amico
Sophia D’Amico is a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
Ami Le is a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
