A group of nine Humboldt Middle School students are still absorbing a whirlwind experience after recently returning from an educational adventure in the nation’s capital.
“It was a good trip, but I’m happy to be home,” said Humboldt student Reylynn Jones.
Just over 100 students — mostly eighth-graders — from around the region were part of the tour, including kids from Southeast Kansas, northeast Oklahoma, northwest Arkansas and a group from Kentucky. The Humboldt students boarded a charter bus on Dec. 5 and returned home from Washington, D.C., on Dec. 14.
“It was a 10-day trip but we had about eight days out and about in the capital,” said middle school Principal Ron James. “Every day was absolutely amazing. The kids were really in the moment the entire time. We had an excellent group.”
This year was the ninth time James has gone on the annual journey. A total of 10 adult sponsors also were part of the group this year.
“The costs of the trip are paid through a foundation’s trust,” James said.
The names of the students who attend the trip are not drawn out of a hat; rather, the kids have to earn the opportunity through a three-step process.
“The first step is the teacher surveys to determine the kids who put a lot of effort in class and are reliable, who treat people kindly and who have good attendance and behavior,” James explained. “Then, the students write an essay about why they want to go on the trip and a research paper on a historical event or figure. The last step is an interview with a history teacher. We take the top nine students on the trip. They have to show they’re willing to put in the work and that they’re interested in history.”
LESSONS GALORE
Thanks to the unique expertise of historic interpreters and artisans, such as at colonial Williamsburg, students got a hands-on feel for the past.
“It was a nice experience, especially historic Jamestown,” said Humboldt student Owen Works. “I liked to see the artifacts from the Native Americans and to learn about the conflicts that happened. We got to see how people lived, ate and preserved parts of animals for food. It was really cool to see how it was back then.”
Works found himself a participant in one of the events. “We got to see a reenactment of Patrick Henry giving his ‘Give me liberty or give me death’ speech, and I was chosen from a group of students to be a reverend and start the service with a prayer,” Works said. “They put me in the attire the reverend would have worn. I was doing the same thing someone else did hundreds of years ago.”
Jones said that her favorite site was Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home.
“I enjoyed seeing the architecture and the portraits he had,” she said. “I’m really interested in writing, and he was also, so it was neat to be around his books.”
Every year, James looks forward to visiting Williamsburg.
“It’s known as the largest living museum in America because it’s been restored to closely resemble the 1770s,” he said. “The kids get to see the trade shops — the blacksmith, the weaver, the wig-maker, the gunsmith, the apothecary. This time of year, it’s decorated for the holidays and some of the kids were saying they felt like they were walking through a Hallmark Christmas movie.”
The lessons they learned extend beyond the nuts and bolts of history.
“At our hotels we had roommates and it was an experience to socialize with people from places I haven’t been,” Works said. “I made friends with people who are way different from me. By the end of the trip, we were all talking and laughing together. Even from far away, I’m going to try to keep those friendships.”
