Fifty MCS students recently returned from a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the nation’s capitol, where they explored historical sites and attended the presidential inauguration. The trip, announced in June 2024, was one of many experiential learning opportunities offered by the district.
History teacher Jason Dannible organized the trip. He says a trip like this can inspire civic engagement and foster a lifelong love of country.
“Taking 50 students to Washington, D.C., for the 2025 Presidential Inauguration was an incredible opportunity for them to witness democracy in action,” Dannible said. “Experiences like this deepen their understanding of our nation’s history. By participating in such significant events, students develop a sense of responsibility to become active participants in their communities and the larger democratic process.”
During their stay from Jan. 19-22, students visited landmarks such as Arlington National Cemetery, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Mount Vernon, and the U.S. Capitol. They also explored the Smithsonian Institution and reflected on history at the nation’s war memorials, the Holocaust Memorial Museum and Tidal Basin.
Students recognized how unique this opportunity for learning was, as it allowed them to build on prior knowledge and prepare for future learning.
“When you’re at museums, you find so much more to learn about than a teacher could have in a classroom,” said sophomore Emma-Grace S.
She pointed out that even though each year she has had lessons about 9-11, visiting the 9-11 Pentagon Memorial was extremely impactful. Emma-Grace was also moved by the shoes at the Holocaust Memorial Museum. Sophomore Castor M. added that when you are interacting with what you are learning, it’s easier to absorb. She especially felt the impact when looking at the stitching on a Nazi flag.
“You think about how much work they put into being terrible,” she observed. “It gives you a sense of the history we’ve gone through as a human race. It’s very important to know that history. I think that’s part of why we have the issues we have today; it’s because we don’t get enough experience-based learning for that history.”
MCS prioritizes real-world experiential learning, and this trip was one of many planned for this year. Superintendent Mark Place served as a chaperone on the trip.
“This trip was an incredible opportunity for our students to see history and democracy come to life,” said Superintendent Mark Place. “From visiting the National Mall to walking the halls of historic museums, they experienced firsthand what it means to be a part of this nation’s story. I’m beyond proud of the curiosity and respect they showed throughout the trip.”
For most of the students, this was the first time they had ever been to Washington, D.C. Castor and Emma-Grace remarked that experiencing life in a city and riding the subway were eye-opening.
“You see so many different people that you don’t necessarily see a lot of in the smaller towns,” Castor said. “We have all the things that cities have in small towns, just in such small proportions that you don’t always see everything there is at once.”
See also: Middleburgh Students to Witness Presidential Inauguration
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