Local Middle Schoolers Tour D.C.

Apr 11, 2024 04:16PM ● By Seti Long

Students got to visit many famous monuments, including this iconic Marine Corp. Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial). Photo by Charla Bedolla

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - A group of twenty-two 7th and 8th grade students from Manzanita School and Biggs Middle School had the amazing opportunity to experience the nation’s capital on a 5-day trip to Washington, D.C.

The group left home Tuesday, April 2 and upon landing, immediately began to explore the many historical monuments in the city.

Charla Tomsic-Bedolla, an educator at Manzanita School, said that U.S Representative Doug LaMalfa organized tours of his office in Washington and had his staffers provide the 7th and 8th graders with a detailed tour of the Capitol. LaMalfa was also instrumental in arranging a tour of the White House for the group.

Students stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with the Washington Monument providing a beautiful backdrop. Pictured left to right: Gagneet Kuar Kular, Alianna Santillan, Hailey Thompson, and Gaveena Kalkat. Photo by Charla Tomsic-Bedolla

Students attended a performance at the Ford Theatre and learned about the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, and visited the Hall of Records, observing the Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, and Constitution first-hand. At Arlington Cemetery, they got to watch the solemn changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

In addition, students had the opportunity to visit and learn about the historical significance of the following: Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument, 9-11 Memorial, Holocaust Museum, African American History Museum, Mt. Vernon, Koren Conflict Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, the Washington Mall, and Capitol Wheel.

Students from Biggs and Manzanita School stand outside the White House, one of many stops on their trip to Washington DC. Photo by Charla Tomsic-Bedolla

Tomsic-Bedolla tells the Herald the students really enjoyed visiting the White House. They were able to catch the exciting moment the presidents plane landed on the White House lawn and watched as secret service secured the area.

The group took their mascot, the blue and gold Manzanita Mustang along, snapping photos of the icon at each memorial site. Students helped him along on the tour, passing him around so that the Mustang also got the experience of a lifetime.

The trip has been a part of the Manzanita program in the past, sending students every two years, but included Biggs students this year in order to give a larger group of students the opportunity to learn about the nation’s history.