Highlights of our 8th-Grade trip to D.C., Gettysburg, and New York.

Eighth-graders got to expand the classroom walls and visit actual historical significant locations in our nation's history and government. We began our six-day trip by learning about the value of freedom by visiting Arlington Cemetry. Four of our own St. John students got to be part of the wreath-laying ceremony. We visited the Capitol, Supreme Court, and had an evening filled with an awe-inspiring illuminated tour of the National Mall.

The interactive Bible museum was a favorite of our eighth-grade students. We got to walk through the stories of the Hebrew Bible and listen to the story of how the followers of Jesus became a thriving community. Mid-week we traveled to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to learn first-hand how this three-day battle was the turning point of the Civil War. 

Next, we traveled to New York to see the Wicked Broadway Musical. Our morning tour boat allowed us to view the Statue of Liberty and experience what immigrants saw when they were arriving at Ellis Island. Meeting our walking tour guides in lower Manhattan allowed us to hear firsthand how the Dutch first settled along the Hudson River in 1624. Our walking tour ended at the 9/11 Memorial Museum. 

Angie Bender, 8th grade, Middle School Teacher