Holy Rosary’s seventh and eighth grade trip to Washington D.C. was a success! The students were able to see and experience many historical places as well as be active participants in daily ceremonies and traditions in and around Washington D.C.
Over a year ago the seventh and eighth grade classes began making plans to take their educational experiences outside the walls of their classrooms and school. The students, parents, school community and parish worked together to help raise funds to make this opportunity happen for all.
On April 18, 2023 all seventh and eighth grade students, parent chaperones, teacher Mrs. Jamie Larsen, and principal Mrs. Tara Engelhart departed from Kansas City International Airport to begin their Education First adventure. This trip was a five day immersion into our nation’s history, civics, science, and the arts.
The tour began at the Arlington National Cemetery where the students learned about the burial criteria and procedures. While there the students witnessed the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Immediately following this ceremony our tour director, Larry Fischer, took us into the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater to discuss the changing of the guards and discuss the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. During this discussion we were surprised that two of the soldiers that have the honor of guarding the tomb joined our group’s discussion. They answered our students’ questions and shared additional information of what qualifies a soldier for this prestigious duty. We were also excited to find that one of the soldiers was from Lebanon, MO.
Following their tour at Arlington National Cemetery they went to visit the Marine Corps War Memorial. Their next stop was the White House. After hearing the history behind the White House our students participated in a couple of line dances with a local favorite street performer. This is where the travelers began experiencing the people that live in Washington D.C. From there they moved onto the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Finally ending the day by visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial. The students enjoyed this last stop and many would say this stop was their favorite. They enjoyed seeing where Martin Luther King Jr gave his “I Have a Dream” speech as well as the opportunity to sit by the reflection pool to talk about what they had already learned and experienced on day one in Washington D.C.
The students continued their travels the next day visiting the Jefferson Memorial, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and Mount Vernon. These stops also made a lasting impression on the students. While in the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum the students participated in a memorial ceremony and helped light candles to honor those that died during the Holocaust. That evening the students enjoyed listening to a storyteller that shared historical and spooky stories. This was a candlelit evening tour that took them through the historic streets and alleyways of Alexandria, Virginia.
The third day of tours began at the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. Then, our group was prepared for our visit in the United States Capitol and the United States Supreme Court building. The students continued to be thoroughly engaged in learning about how our government works. This is where their civics lessons began to become real and pertinent to their lives.
After finishing at the Capitol the students were excited to find we were making our way to the Smithsonian Museum for Air and Space. This stop highlighted science in the real world whether historical or current. The students loved trying to figure out how things worked. They enjoyed not only seeing the exhibits but loved trying out the varied simulators that were available.
That day wasn’t done yet! We then went to Ford’s Theater where the students helped reenact the assassination of President Lincoln. From the reenactment the tour took the group to the World War II Memorial, Korean War Memorial and finally the students had an opportunity to participate in some statue climbing with a visit to the Einstein statue.
The Holy Rosary student’s last day began at the Pentagon specifically at the Pentagon Memorial. Each student had the opportunity to pay tribute to the 184 people whose lives were lost at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.
Then, our tour took a cultural twist with a visit to the Kennedy Center. While there the students got to see different styles of art exhibits and a beautiful 360 degree view of Washington D.C.
Finally, our last stop was the Smithsonian Museum of American History. There are more than 1.8 million objects of archival collections to see in this museum! The exhibits are a range of topics that offer first hand experiences and treasures from American history. These collections range from the original Star-Spangled Banner to gowns from the first ladies, Abraham Lincoln’s top hat, part of the Berlin Wall, Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz and this list could go on! The artifacts found here are the greatest single collection of American history in the world. This was a great place to finish our tours!
The Holy Rosary students were complimented every day on their knowledge, participation, and manners. This was epitomized by an act of kindness by two of our eighth grade students, Drew Baum and Jakin Bradbury.
Our flight home was delayed and delayed even more. The airline was able to provide a plane and crew to get us home even though our original plane was grounded elsewhere due to a storm. The airline announced that our flight would depart from the terminal on the opposite end of the airport.
While our group was gathering our items to move to the new departure point Drew and Jakin took it upon themselves to assist another traveler that was in a wheelchair.
As part of the school’s mission statement, “rooted in faith, growing in knowledge and serving others,” Jakin and Drew were doing just that.
This was a wonderful trip that solidified our students’ resolve to make a difference in our world.
There are literally thousands of pictures from this trip. You can see some of those on the Holy Rosary School Facebook page.
A BIG THANK YOU to our Lead Tour Director Larry, Assistant Tour Director Krista, Mrs. Larsen 7/8th grade teacher, and our parent chaperones, Mindy Nold, Stephanie Engelhart, Molly Booth, Lauren Cook, Chantel Myers, Kim Schaffer, Amanda Bradbury, Kristine Clubb, Ryan and Ashley Parks, Jon and Jennifer Sewell,
Blake and Krystal Gillis that traveled!
