College Government Class Takes Trip to Washington, D.C.

By Kris Holloway

The Anderson County High School College Government class recently took an educational trip to Washington, D.C., allowing students to experience the nation’s capital firsthand.

The group departed from MCI early Thursday morning, March 12, leaving the school around 4 a.m. After arriving in Washington, D.C., students visited several historic memorials, including those dedicated to Thomas Jefferson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, Vietnam veterans, World War II, the Korean War, and Iwo Jima.

On the second day, the group toured the U.S. Capitol. While there, students saw the Crypt, the Rotunda, and two statues representing Kansas: President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Amelia Earhart. Through arrangements made by Stacey Richards, the group received passes from Senator Jerry Moran, allowing them access to view the Senate Chamber. Although the Senate was not in session, students still valued the experience. From the Capitol, the group traveled through an underground tunnel to the Library of Congress, where they observed a large collection of books originally donated by Thomas Jefferson.

That same day, students visited the Washington Monument and were the final group allowed to go to the top before it closed due to high winds. From the top, they could see major landmarks such as the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, the Jefferson Memorial, and the Capitol. Additional stops included the Pentagon and the 9/11 Memorial.

On Saturday, the group visited Arlington National Cemetery, where they witnessed the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They also visited the graves of President John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Robert F. Kennedy, and the Challenger Memorial.

Sunday began with attendance at a non-denominational service at the Washington National Cathedral. The group then visited a national art gallery, where they viewed an original painting by Leonardo da Vinci. Later stops included the National Archives, where students saw the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. The day also included visits to the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of American History, and the National Air and Space Museum.

On Monday, students traveled to Charlottesville, Virginia, to tour Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. While there, they learned about the site’s history and unique traditions, including the distribution of two-dollar bills. The group also had lunch at a historic tavern dating back to the 1790s, where the menu reflected foods from that era. A planned visit to Ford’s Theatre was canceled due to severe weather conditions.

On the final day, Tuesday, the group visited the People’s House, an interactive exhibit located near the White House. While there, students witnessed a high-security motorcade passing by, possibly heading toward the White House. The group then walked to view the north side of the White House before heading to Reagan National Airport for their return flight, which was slightly delayed.

The trip provided students with a memorable, hands-on learning experience, bringing history to life through visits to some of the nation’s most important landmarks.

Above: The College Government class at Arlington Cemetery

Below: Monticello, the home of Jefferson in Charlottesville, Virginia