Wednesday

Wow! What a day! We are exhausted so I'm keeping it short tonight. (Make sure you check out the students' posts from today in the two blog entries before this one). 

First, we went to the National Cathederal- What a beautiful building!

(Woodrow Wilson Tomb)

Then we went to eat.

After we went to Mount Vernon.

(General George Washington on the right, Martha Washington on the left)

Next was Iwo Jima.

We ended our evening with a river boat cruise down the Potomac River with a wonderful buffet and dance party. 

More Kids' posts from Wednesday, July 13

Wednesday,July 13 again

You think you know history, then you come to Washington DC, and everyting you know gets turned upside down.

                                                                         -Seth Cisler

We road on the Spirit of Mount Vernon and had taco and danced our brains out. We got 99% of the people to dance, it was EPIC.

                                -Guy Billington 

   Riding the Spirit of Mount Vernon was a blast. I've always loved the water and long, slow rides on rivers and lakes. The food was delicious. They had chicken, tacos, mac and cheese, and brownies and cookies. After dinner, I immediately wanted to get to the top to feel the breeze. Seeing all the monuments in the distance at both night and day are breath taking views. All the city lights at night we beautiful. I could feel the vibrations from the loud music going on downstairs. I went downstairs to see what was going on. I walked in the room and half of our group was doing the Cha Cha Slide. I couldn't help but smile. Seeing everyone dance was very entertaining. I'm not much of a party girl, but I still went out and did my moves on the dance floor. Most of the adults were quite the party people. I would do that cruise again in a heartbeat if I could. Hope everyone enjoys seeing the pictures of our fun time. 

                                                                         ~Alena Allen

The cruise was fun and exciting. It was one of the best time ever because it was modern music that you wold know and like to dance to like the songs at the school dances. most of the people there danced the rest of them where at the top of the amazing boat looking at the buildings that are on the side of the river. At the night the view up there was a one of a kind view. You couldn't really see any stars because of the clouds but there was of a lot of nice lights on the side of the river. 

Gage Eggman

This trip is the best trip i have ever been on, and probably the only trip i have been on. I have learned so much on this trip. From what i remember, we have been to the Washington Memorial, the Washington national Cathedral, and we stood outside the white house. We have also been to many gift shop, ad the original house where Washington himself had lived long ago, and it has THE original furniture in every room of the house we were aloud to see. we also did something very exciting today. We went on the Spirit of mount Vernon cruise and i danced a little but had to goi to the top a couple times because of it getting to loud, but it was a blast anyways. And finally, we went to the Iwo Jima Memorial and we took a group picture, it was very sunny so i squinted a little because i didn't have my sunglasses. Today was really fun and i hope tomorrow will be even more fun.

                              -Samantha Le Guerrier    

Wednesday, July 13--So far (all student views!)

Wednesday, July 13

  This is Skyler Fluckey and today was awesome and very very expensive. At the Cathedral, it was cool to see how big it was and to see the stained glass. I had spent $30 there on my sisters and my grandma for two birthstone necklaces and a rock that says love. At lunch I wasn't very happy when Terry and I went to get sushi from Kabuki, because we had gotten to the front and then they put up a sign that said it was temporary closed. Instead we went to get some pizza. 

Just after 1 pm we went to a souvenir shop and i spent $35 on my Dad and myself. I had gotten 4 gold coins and two cases to hold them in for my Dad and for myself I had gotten 4 postcards of different monuments that we have seen. Today was expensive, but I have had lots of fun hanging out with some good friends and have lots of laughs. I cant wait for the zoo, which is what I believe is next now, but I have no idea yet. I am acting like a 4 year old little kid and being a complete goofball for the first time in forever. This is the best trip ever, without my family of course and with my awesome friends.

           -Skyler Fluckey

Yesterday I had a headache the whole day, but this trip is pretty chill so it was okay. Also I got a emoji hat....Pretty lit 

          ~Jenna

Today I went to a big church. It was one of the coolest building I have ever seen! The shop there was overpriced. Then we went to lunch and I had pizza. Then we went to a souvenir shop. I  had gotten sunglasses for my sister. We are gonna go to George Washington's house, which is Mount Vernon -and the zoo next.

                                        -Terry

This week has been a life experience.  This is one of the best places ever and the food is good. I LIKE FOOD.

                                                                         -Gabe

Going to Washington D.C is an amazing experience to learn more about our pasts and history. Today we went to the Cathedral, that had Hellen Keller's tomb behind it. The Cathedral was built in the 1900's, which was an interesting fact that we also learned. One of the glass circular-rose windows is 6 feet tall, but on the first level, it looks no more than 3. At the gift shop, I bought my grandmother a cross necklace that has every birthstone on it. I got myself a necklace, that at first glance looks like a heart with a circle in the middle, but if you looks closer, the left side of the necklace makes a G, the circle is an O, and the right side is an D, which makes it say God. I got the matching earrings with it as well. We were going to the zoo, but instead we went to eat lunch. I got pizza at an Italy Pizzeria place that was delicious, but over-the-top greasy. After eating lunch, with some spare time, my friend bought me Starbucks due to the low amount of money I have that I have to get my family souvenirs since they never been to Washington D.C., other than my grandmother. Going to the souvenir shop, I bought my father a keychain with his name on it. Already buying my brother, sister, and grandmother a present I only had to get my mother one. Searching through the store, there was only thing that stuck out. The 7 building rainbow hexagon. It was a beautiful site, and would make a beautiful gift. Browsing around, I saw a friend of mine, Eisen, who couldn't afford a hat that he he adored, because it matched his new sweatshirt. I had money left over, and felt bad for him, so I bought him the hat. He afford to give me his remaining money that he had, but I kindly denied his request. Having a few more minutes to look around, I saw these buttons that said No and Yes. Pressing down on them, they say Yes and No in different ways, as a funny joke. It would be a funny thing to have to use against my family, I bought them as well. Leaving the souvenir shop, we hopped back on the bus and headed back on our journey. Later today we traveled to George Washington's house, where he lived while he was married to Martha and had kids. They also updated the house numerous times to their likings, which made the house extravagant in the end. The house was massive, and had the same beds and chairs that they had when they lived there. Sadly we could not go in those rooms, but we could see them through the open windows through the tour. Not bringing my bag in, which was a bad mistake on my part, I forgot to bring in my water bottle. It was burning hot outside, but thankfully there were water fountains throughout the touring outside. Visiting the slave's cemetery, I felt saddened on how they weren't buried in a proper place, but finding out people are trying to find their remains to do so, made me feel happy again. There was a vault that we past, where George Washington was supposed to be kept in as he past away, but in his will, he wanted to be placed somewhere else, so his wife, Martha, wouldn't have to be placed in that vault that is falling apart slowly. The adventures seem to never end as I explored the Educational Center. with a few minutes to spare, I found my friend in the gift shop at the end. My friends created this storyline of our friendship, making us a family. I am the mother, while I have all my friends as kids, and my best friend, Alexis, is the father. In Chorus, we sang a song called Let It Grow, so that's where we got the names Dan and Rose from. Eisen,  being the youngest child, I wanted to buy him something as a joke. I found a Stuffed Golden Retriever, before remembering that my money was in my bag that was in the bus. My friend, who has brought more money than me, insisted on buying it, but I declined, saying it was too much. He bought it anyways, which was a nice thing he had done. Walking up to Eisen,  I had the dog behind my back, and said "Eisen,  here is a dog that every little kid needs." I handed the dog to him, which he named Douglas. We just went to a statue with soldiers hands on the flag. We took a few pictures, but during the pictures, everyone with hats had to take them off for respect. As we left, we are going to have more adventures on the way. I am thankful to be able to join this trip. It has been an amazing experience so far, and we have a couple days left to explore this wonderful city.           ~Cecilia Hadley.

Tuesday, July 12--Arlington, Capitol, White House, and More!

Tuesday, July 12

  So far this trip for me has been amazing, but today especially, will be one I'll never forget. Today we went to Arlington National Cemetery. Several months before the trip, I sent an email to Mr. Kedley asking him if I could be apart of the Laying of the Wreath ceremony that takes place at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. He said yes being that I was the only one (at that time) to ask him to be apart of it. I was going to do this for my grandfather who served in World War 2 as a Staff Sargent for the 808 Tank Destroyers. He was on the battlefield while fighting the Battle of the Bulge. While he was fighting, he got shot in the heart, but the bullet didn't get pass his Bible with an iron cover on it. That could have been the end of his life if he didn't have his Bible in front of his heart. I don't have any memories of him because he died of a heart attack when I was very young. I knew he would be very proud of me if I did this for him. Seeing the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is so much different than seeing in a book. You can feel the emotion there, and I'm a very emotional person so it was hard for me to hold back tears. It was really hot that day and the unfortunate part was that I was wearing long black pants and a white shirt with a black cover up. Speed walking up the hill was terrible, especially for me because I'm short and my legs don't take that big of steps so keeping up with the group was difficult. We got up top and a man instructed us what to do. We stood at the top and watched the Changing of Guard which was really interesting.  As we were watching the first group, I started to tear up when they were playing Taps. After the first group finished up, another boy that also asked Kedley to do this, was in the front with me. We would be placing the wreath. Mr. Kedley and another boy was behind us. As the guards finished up what they were doing, the guard that would take us down came up. Everyone knows that they are really serious and have that serious look, but as he approached us, it was like a rock turned into cotton ball. He spoke to us casually, but seriously. He instructed us what to do and we approached the steps. As he quietly said go, we took our first step with our left foot down the stairs. I tried my best to keep in step with him, but that wasn't very hard with my marching band experience. As we approached the tomb, I started to get nervous. I stepped up and the guard that was previously on duty asked us to keep both hands on the wreath. The wreath had a ribbon with Clarke Middle High School written on it. We grabbed the wreath and placed it on the stand. We returned back across the black mat that the guards walked across. Taps rang out through the silence as tears streamed down my face as I realized the honor I had done. As the song ended, we retuned back up the stairs. It was such an honor that I got to do this and when my children learn about this, I will get to tell them that I did this for their great-grandfather. 

                                                                                 ~From Alena Allen, 10th Grade

Today I took a selfie with Senator Joni Ernst and Miss America!!

                                         ~Jenna Kosman

I witnessed the most impressive thing I have ever seen. Today we watched the changing of the guards. We also got to visit Captain David Wisniewski today.

                               -Landi

I liked the Library of Congress. I liked to see actual Congress people at work in the reading room. In the Capitol I learned that Trimble (a painter) kept including himself in his paintings. I liked seeing the White House. I didn't know there was that much white in the world. It would have been nice if we could have gone inside to see the White House. I liked seeing the Change of the Guards at Arlington. I liked how they were walking and their feet moved in a balanced almost slow-paced step. Each time they were in the line they moved together. I liked how they moved their weaponry. I learned that the gun has to be six inches from the chest. Each time they had to count their 21 steps before turning. They do 21 steps because of the 21 gun salute. 

                               -Rene

This day was started at Arlington,We saw the eternal flame of JFK, the tomb of the unknown soldier. They were all cool but it seemed like there was something needed but then as we left I heard it, an actual 21 gun salute. It was sad that someone died for us but hearing that sound made the trip the ultimate experience.

                                                                         -Seth

We started this morning at Arlington. Our first stop was the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Many of the students were impressed with the Changing of the Guards. The Changing of the Guards was followed by a wreath laying done by Alena, Gage, McCormick, and Mr. Kedley.  The students did a very nice job being respectful and honoring fallen soldiers. They then traveled to the Arlington House for a little tour before visiting the Kennedys' burial site. We then made the trek to section 60 to visit Captain David Wisniewski's burial site. He is Mr. Wisniewski's (fifth grade teacher at Clarke) brother. The students did a great job honoring him. Students had the opportunity to lay a pebble on his tomb stone symbolizing that someone recently visited him. 

After Arlington we went to a local mall to have lunch. Students then had the opportunity to shop around a little bit, many bought new hats.

The Capitol was our next stop. We went through Senator Joni Ernst's office to receive a guided tour. We also met and took at photo with Senator Ernst. The tour was filled with information and history.  It also so happened that the Miss America contestants were visiting the Capitol at the same time so some people got their photo with Miss America and some of the other contestants. 

After the Capitol we walked through the tunnel to the Library of Congress. Many students were impressed with the reading room--they recognized it from the movie National Treasure. We then walked by the Supreme Court building before heading back to the bus. 

We then headed to the White House for some photo opportunities. They were blocking off a lot of the road in front of the White House so we couldn't get close. 

After parting ways with our tour guide, George we headed to Bugsy's Restaurant in Alexandria for a pizza buffet dinner. It was very good.

Before our ghost tour we had some time to kill so we split up. Some kids got ice cream, some went souvenir shopping, and some walked to the Waterfront. 

Our final event of the evening was the Alexandria Ghost and Legend Tour.  We split the group into two groups and one group did the North tour, while the other did the South tour. I was with the North tour and it was very interesting. 

Right now, I am sitting outside our hotel as almost the entire group of students swims in the outdoor pool. They are having a blast...which means they will sleep well tonight!