Students immersed in the American experience

LAUREL — A recent four-day trip to Washington D.C. provided 49 Laurel-Concord- Coleridge students, and 23 parents and teachers a first-hand account of America’s earliest beginnings as a country and nation.

The trip, through World Classrooms, actually began 18 months ago when the idea was presented to LCC faculty as a way for students to connect classroom learning to actual locations where American history took place.

“The presentation was made to determine parent and student interest in fall 2021 and the response was overwhelming. There was lots of excitement and anticipation, as this was a first for our middle school students,” said Jennifer Van Meter, the local contact for the program.

“Some of the students had siblings who also came on the trip, and several parents joined us as well,” said Van Meter. “It was an amazing opportunity to see and experience so many historic places, as well as learn from extremely knowledgeable tour guides,” she said.

Andrea Johnson, Concord, had two children on the tour for good reason. She said, “I was fortunate to have gone on a similar trip like this when I was a student and never forgot the impact it had on my view of our country. I wanted my Cade and Delaney to have the same opportunity before graduating high school.”

Charter buses transported the group from Laurel to Kansas City for a direct flight to Washington D.C. where the tour began upon arrival. The four-day event covered over 15 museums and historic places including a day at Gettysburg and Mt. Vernon. Watching the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery was enhanced by placement of a wreath by the Israeli ambassador.

There were a number of “firsts” for a lot of the students including air flights and traveling without family to name a few. During the week dozens of other school tours were a normal thing to see at each attraction, and the students identified groups from North Platte and Ogallala, Nebraska enjoying the same experience.

Each year, World Classrooms of Aberdeen, S.D., brings over 10,000 middle and high school students to Washington D.C. and New York City to see and experience the roots of American history and culture. Seventh and eighth grade students will have an opportunity to sign up this fall for the next LCC tour scheduled for spring/ summer 2025.