Riversprings Students will Travel to Washington, D.C.

This April, thirty-five Riversprings Middle School students will experience history first-hand when they make the second annual trip to Washington D.C. They will spend four days of their spring break exploring our Nation’s monuments and museums to learn about American history in a way no textbook could capture.

The students will fly to D.C. accompanied by eighth grade teachers Brian Dow and John Kane. While there, they will visit the Air & Space, Natural History, and American History Smithsonian Museums; travel to the top of the Washington Monument for a birds-eye view of the city; tour the Capitol building; see pandas at the National Zoo; learn about sacrifice at the Vietnam, Korean, and WWII War Memorials; reflect on the achievements of great Americans at the Jefferson, Lincoln, and FDR Memorials; and much more. This year, the students will also have the very special honor of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. This promises to be a very moving experience and the highlight of our trip.

Mr. Dow had this to say about last year’s trip. “I was amazed at the impact it had on the students. They were very excited to be in Washington, D.C. and had a great appreciation for the importance of what they were seeing and experiencing. While waiting in line at Mt. Vernon, I was pleased to overhear a student saying “Wow, George Washington actually walked right here where we are standing!” I was particularly struck that many of them found Arlington National Cemetery to be their favorite part of the trip. While Arlington is a deeply moving place for me, I was a little surprised that eighth graders would fully understand the significance of that hallowed ground. Not only were the students learning, I felt like I was watching them grow and mature before my eyes.”

During these tough economic times, the students are working very hard to raise the money necessary to go on this amazing trip. This year, Mr. Dow has decided to challenge himself to help them in their fundraising efforts. He will be lacing up his running shoes and participating in the Tallahassee Marathon on February 7th. That’s 26.2 miles starting at FSU and travelling down and back the St. Mark’s Trail. He is asking that supporters sponsor his efforts with all donations going directly to the students’ trip.

For more information or to make a donation to support the students, you may contact Brian Dow at Riversprings at 926-2300 or by email at dowb@wakulla.k12.fl.us . Donations must be submitted by January 15 to ensure they can be credited to the students before their payment deadline.

This information originally published on January 7, 2010.

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