 The Spear family made regular trips to Washington, D.C. so that Willis Spear could renew his land leases.They would stay in the capitol for six months, where they attended matinees after school and met famous actors, including John Drew and his niece, Mary Bordon.Elsa returned to Washington following her graduation from high school in 1914, where she attended the National School for Domestic Arts and Sciences, accompanied by her mother.