RMS Students Honor Soldiers in Washington, D.C.

During this past Spring Break, 25 Riversprings Middle School students spent four days experiencing Washington, D.C. exploring

our nation’s monuments and museums to learn about American history first-hand.  During their first day in D.C., the students had the very special honor of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.  Students Allison Metcalf, Landon Glover, and Jode Yates won a writing contest to be part of the wreath-laying delegation and participate directly in the ceremony.  Despite the unseasonably hot weather in the nineties, the students found it to be a very moving experience.  “I thought the playing of taps on the trumpet was really memorable.  That’s something I’ll remember the rest of my life," says Glover.

The students flew to D.C. accompanied by eighth grade teachers Brian Dow and John Kane and four of the students’ parents.  Students particularly enjoyed traveling to the top of the 555 foot Washington Monument for a birds-eye view of the city, the amazing gothic architecture of the National Cathedral, and lunch at Union Station.  Students also visited the Air & Space, Natural History, and American History Smithsonian Museums, toured the Capitol building, saw pandas at the National Zoo, took night tours that included the Vietnam, Korean, and WWII War Memorials and the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials, and much more

Students worked very hard to raise money to go on this extraordinary trip.  They did everything from selling wrapping paper to collecting receipts on designated nights at Beef O’Brady’s.  Parent Audri Hill noted that the fundraising efforts not only made the trip possible but also made it even more meaningful for the students.  “I could never have sent Austin without it and encouraging the kids to earn money themselves by yard sales, summer jobs and such makes them appreciate the trip that much more," said Hill.  "Teaching them they have to work hard for what they want and then rewarding them with such an awesome trip is a great life lesson.”

Attending the trip were Riversprings students Gauge Campbell,  Michael Clark,  Chris Damitz, Emily Davis, Jayson Draughon, Shelby Dykes, Landon Glover, Arien Hart, Austin Hill, Libby Inlow, Kyla Kerce, Wesley Kyle, Cary Mathers, Robbie McBride, Allison Metcalf, Natalie Ministerio, Brook Roddenberry, Emily Rudd, Aaron Smith, Delaney Thompson, Phillip Thornton, Taylor Vaughan, Kelli White, Ryan Wyatt, and Jode Yates

Next years' trip is already planned and all current Wakulla County seventh grade students are welcome to attend.  There will be an informational meeting for interested parents Tuesday, May 11 at 6:30 pm in the Riversprings cafetorium.  For more information, parents may contact Brian Dow at 926-2300 or by email at dowb@wakulla.k12.fl.us .

This article originally published on May 3, 2010.

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