On March 18, 51 freshmen and 8th graders embarked on a trip to the East Coast to expand their knowledge on American history and government. From history museums to Broadway musicals, their itinerary was packed with historically and culturally important stops.
Their journey began with a flight to the nation’s capital, Washington D.C., where they went on a variety of tours on U.S. history, including stops at some of America’s vital institutions, such as the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress. Later that night, the group concluded the day with a special monument night tour that included the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, and the Jefferson Memorial.
The following day, students headed to the International Spy Museum and the Holocaust Memorial Museum. Eighth grader Kaila Farmer shared that she was greatly impacted by the Holocaust Memorial Museum because it gave her a clearer understanding of what happened to the Jews. She explained, “The museum made me very heartbroken because one of the exhibits showed how life was like living in the ghetto which showed how difficult life was for many of the Jews living at the time.” Nonetheless, she added, “Overall, I feel like this was one of my favorite places because it was just a really powerful and moving place to be at.”
The group wrapped up their fourth day with another night tour, this time of the Lincoln, Korean, and Vietnam Memorials. Demi Chae, an eighth grader, listed the Lincoln Memorial as her favorite place on the trip as she was able to reflect on some of the greatest historical events at the exact location of where they took place.
After students said their goodbyes to Washington D.C., they boarded their tour bus and headed north to their next grand stop – “the Big Apple”, also known as New York City. For a majority of the students, this particular stop was filled with highlights and fun memories. Their first day in the city began with lunch at the iconic Grand Central Station, followed by a trip to the 9/11 Museum. They then switched out their hoodies and walking shoes for ties and high heels to head to the theater to see the world-renowned Broadway musical, “Wicked”. Chae recalled, “Watching the play being acted out by exceptionally talented actors was a very enjoyable and surreal experience that I won’t forget.”
During their time in New York City, they also visited the Financial District, the World Trade Center, and the Statue of Liberty. Their last stop was the Times Square and they enjoyed a scenic view of the city from the Top of the Rock near Rockefeller Center.
There were many learning opportunities on the trip and students were able to make connections to their social studies classes. Chae said, “Currently in my eighth grade American History course, we are learning about the three branches of government and each one’s responsibilities. As I familiarize myself with the [country’s] initial and current forms of government in my classroom, I can think back to what I’d learned and saw in the Capitol Building.”
