One of the best ways to learn and understand history is become part of it. For a group of Henry County Elementary students, their social studies and American History lessons will leap out of the textbooks and into reality with a visit to the nation’s capital during the presidential inauguration.
The Stockbridge Elementary Ambassadors, a group of 20 Stockbridge Elementary School students in 2nd and 3rd grades, were recently invited to travel to Washington, D.C. The opportunity includes being able to witness President Barack Obama take the Oath of Office, experience the Inauguration Parade, and even attend an inaugural ball.
The Stockbridge Elementary Ambassadors are made up of a group of diverse, academically strong students who have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship qualities. They are chosen by their teachers and the school’s Ambassador Teacher Leaders. According to Stockbridge Elementary Principal Bonita Fluker, a goal of the ambassadors group is to provide an opportunity for social development and student engagement in a diverse setting.
Fluker says, “There is a sense of excitement among the students, staff, and the parents who will get a chance to witness history in the making. The students have studied government and democracy within the classroom, but this takes it to a totally different level. They will now receive an opportunity to see government in action.”
Christina Freeman, Instructional Lead Teacher at the elementary school and chaperone for the trip says the lengthy itinerary includes inauguration events, and site visits including: Smithsonian museums, the White House, memorials around the National Mall, Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon and the Cannon House Office Building next to the Capitol where they will meet 13th District Congressman David Scott.
Approximately 50 people including parents and school personnel will leave January 19 by bus on the four-day excursion. The trip was planned by Education First (EF) Smithsonian Student Travel.
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