Stars and Suns in the Nation’s Capital

Our 8^th grade Stars and Suns experienced an amazing whirlwind tour of Washington, D.C. last week. Their three-day packed itinerary included a trip to Mt. Vernon, an evening tour of the monuments and memorials, and visits to the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian National Museum of American History and the St. John Paul II National Shrine. They toured the Capitol Building with St. Dominic School parent and Tennessee Congressman David Kustoff and attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery.

While the trip reinforced both the American History and Civics/Government courses that the 8th graders completed this year, it also provided the SAA and SDS students one last Brotherhood and Sisterhood event before making the leap to high school.

 “Besides the obvious curricular goals of the trip-enhancing our students’ knowledge and study of the birth of our country and how our representative democracy functions-our Stars and Suns were able to make connections and memories that will last a lifetime,” said Dean Jenn Wojcik.

The students were readily able to make connections between their classroom study and this real-world experience. SAA student Iris Mesler shared, “Before going to D.C. we did a lot of activities about the presidents, so I really enjoyed the National Portrait Gallery and the Lincoln Memorial. SDS student Adam Lamey agreed, “Having learned so much about the presidents, I liked seeing all of their pictures in the National Portrait Gallery and seeing the Lincoln Memorial.”

Lily Melton shared another highlight of the trip: “We have learned all about the legislative branch, so touring the Capitol was a highlight for me. For Brodie Kelley, the tour of the monuments and memorials was very impactful. He explained, “My favorite part of the trip was seeing all the monuments and memorials, but especially the Vietnam War memorial-it was really moving. We’re still learning so much about it (the war) today.”