More than one-hundred eighth grade students from Templeton Middle School (TMS) visited Washington D.C. October 19-22 for an extended field trip. Staff members and parent volunteers chaperoned the annual trip which allows students to visit national monuments they study during their eighth grade year of school. Four TMS students had the honor and privilege of participating in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
“Laying the wreath was the most rewarding experience,” says Templeton Middle School student Emersyn Schmit. “I cannot express my gratitude and thanks to be given this once in a lifetime opportunity. While it was super scary, walking down the stairs and actually picking up the wreath, I am so happy I did it. Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity,“ she adds.
TMS students interested in taking part in the wreath-laying ceremony were asked to write an essay explaining why they should be chosen. Twenty-six students wrote essays. Four were selected to take part in the ceremony. The selected students were Gracie Binder, Emersyn Schmit, Masen Rebholz and Harper Warren.
“Laying the wreath meant a lot to me as I have family that are/have served,” says Templeton Middle School student Gracie Binder. “I was able to be part of honoring all of the people who have passed and have not been identified. It was a privilege to be a part of letting the soldiers that have passed know they are not only appreciated, but more importantly not forgotten,” adds Binder.
“Students have the maturity to understand what they are seeing, yet the curiosity to want to learn more,” says Templeton Middle School Eighth Grade Social Studies Teacher Rhonda Watton who has been organizing and chaperoning the Washington D.C. trip for more than a decade. “Students learn about the historical significance of each monument from the tour guide before getting off the bus. Some guides have the students look for certain features on a monument or a specific quote around the monument and what it means to them,” explains Watton. “Students take pictures of the monuments with their friends, while others return to the bus with questions about what they saw.”
The TMS trip to Washington D.C. takes place in fall. The group traditionally spends three days in Washington D.C. enjoying guided tours to national monuments and then spends one day in a nearby city such as Williamsburg, Pennsylvania or Gettysburg, Virginia.