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Sharing The Nation’s Heritage: Washington D.C. Teaches Many Lessons

photo provided With the sun setting on the first day of the trip, the students pause to admire the beauty of the Washington Monument, a treasure from the past, as a steady stream of passenger airplanes pass over in quick succession.

photo provided Gazing out from the top of the 555 feet tall Washington Monument, this student captured the view to Lincoln’s Memorial and buildings spanning both sides of the icy reflecting pool.

photo provided VUHS Sophomore Jennifer Morley sees how she measures up against the value of stacks of newly printed money at the Bureau of Engraving in Washington DC.

photo provided Just a lunch counter? Hardly! The Smithsonian Museum displayed this section of the famed Birmingham Lunch Counter from the Civil Rights Movement and reminded all of a time in American history where the words “We the People” took on a new meaning.

Tuesday January 25, 2011

By Cookie Steponaitis

    When thirty VUHS students and chaperones left late at night for a three day trip to Washington, D.C. this past week, they were all excited and aware that they would walk miles each day. They were planning on experiencing a lot and taking numerous pictures. What they were not prepared for was the strength of lessons learned, the milestones that occurred and the sense of not only history, but a link to a heritage that spans over two hundred years of American history.

    “As the trip got closer it was really exciting,” shared VUHS sophomore Ashley Stearns. “I was really looking forward to being in D.C. with all my friends. I really didn’t know what to expect. When we arrived on the outskirts of the city early the next morning and I saw the buildings and the statues, I knew I was in for the trip of a lifetime.”  In a city brimming with history that envelops you it is hard to really know where to start. The group spent an action packed three day trip that included the White House, U.S. Capital, Holocaust Museum, the Washington Monument, two Smithsonian museums focusing on  the culture and history of American Indians and the history of the United States, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Arlington National Cemetery, Ford’s Theater, Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the U.S. Supreme Court, viewing the Stars and Stripes from the Battle at Fort McHenry, U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, a night time tour of all the war monuments, and finally dinner and a live show at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. While the pace was brisk the messages rang clear. The creation of America began in 1776 with the Founding Father’s revolutionary concepts in thinking and the formation of a representative government that still holds true today. America is a continuing experiment in democracy and one that is held together by the founding principles, the U.S. Constitution and the work and efforts of each generation of Americans who live here.

    “This is our fourth year making a Washington, D.C. odyssey,” remarked VUHS History teacher Pamela Taylor. “This started out one day when we realized how many of our students had never been to their nation’s capital and wanted to offer this educational opportunity to as many as possible. This year’s trip was outstanding and the students were not only fascinated by what they saw, but represented themselves and their school with pride and style. Seeing their faces at some of the monuments, watching them pause and reach out to touch the case containing the U.S. Constitution and reflecting as they experienced the Holocaust Museum is worth all the planning and effort. It is truly watching a generation connect to their heritage and to see them realize their role in it.”

     Students reflected on their journey and offered different favorite experiences and comments on the sheer amount of learning they did in three days. “It is almost overwhelming,” commented Jennifer Morley. “The more I think about the trip, the more I remember and the more I learn. It will take me months to really appreciate all I saw. While we all ran to see Dorothy’s red slippers at the Smithsonian Museum, we were all spellbound and humbled at the changing of the Guard of the Tomb of the Unknown. So many emotions are experienced that it is hard to at first separate them out.”

    As in years past, the group is very appreciative for the support of local merchants and groups that helped them reach fundraising goals. “We have many to thank,” reflected Ms. Taylor, “but can not go without thanking American Legion Post # 14 for their continual support. For the second year they donated their hall and a complete spaghetti dinner to the students, allowing 100% of the profits to go toward each individual student through ticket sales.”

     It is often said that to express something the best way is to leave it to the children, and again this euphemism seems to ring true. At the bottom of our journal entry a sophomore simply wrote, “I saw and learned so much that my brain hurts, but I am so proud to be a part of this country and understand I have a role in it too.”

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