During spring break while most students were playing their X-Box or swimming at the beach, a group of students spent their time reviewing American History.  Eighteen Riversprings Bears went to Washington, D. C. for four jam-packed days!!

After flying in to D.C. the morning of March 20th, the students toured Lincoln’s Memorial, Jefferson’s Memorial, and Roosevelt’s Memorial.  Students were not allowed to enter the Washington monument, but attended many places around it.  Also, the eighth graders viewed many memorials dedicated to past wars:  World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Korean War.  One of the student’s favorites was the sculpture dedicated to the battle of Iwo Jima.

Two new memorials that our group toured were the Martin Luther King, Jr. and the September 11th Pentagon Memorial.  An “oldie but goodie” was the tour of Ford’s Theatre, where President Lincoln was shot.  Students also toured the Capitol where they received a special treat.  The students were allowed to sit in on Senate and House sessions as bills were being read and recorded.  Students viewed the Bill of Rights and The Constitution at the National Archives and explored the Library of Congress.  Special clearance is needed these days to enter the White House, so the students opted for a “photo shoot” outside the gates.

Four Smithsonian Museums on the Bears tour were the Museum of Space and Aviation, American Indian Museum, Museum of Natural History and the Museum of American History.   Another museum worth mentioning is the Holocaust Museum.  This one is relatively new.  Though somber and yet sometimes graphic, this museum is a must-see.  Our middle school students discussed its impact far into the night.

Another favorite location is Arlington National Cemetery where we watched the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  Caylee Cox, Gabby Mohrfeld, Yesenia Reyes and Samantha Thompson were allowed to lay a wreath on the tomb. 

Students also saw the burial spot of President John F. Kennedy and the eternal flame.  Students enjoyed a tour of Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington.  Lunch and breakfast meals were in interesting Washington locations such as the Old Post Office, Union Station and of course, Hard Rock Café.

Other students enjoying the trip were Peyton Carter, Scott Curry, Kathryn Eck, Hannah Hart, Lauren Hatch, Whitley Kerce, Shelby Lenk, Erika McKown, Nick Miller, Kaitlyn Panzerino, Carly Rudd, Libby Sutton, Abby Weddle, and Jamie Wheeler.  Teacher and parent chaperones were Steve Hatch, Leon Hillmon, Wayne Largent and Mina Sutton.

After many security checkpoints, changing planes in busy airports and returning to Wakulla extremely late Friday night, the Riversprings Bears are now seasoned educated travelers.

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