Experiencing Washington D.C.

Arlington National Cemetery. Photo by Ida Whitney.

From March 23 – 28, seventy–eight Gibraltar 7th and 8th graders, plus twenty one chaperons, were at the nation’s capital, Washington D.C. We visited the White House, the Capitol Building, the Jefferson Memorial, the Abraham Lincoln Memorial, Library of Congress, the Supreme Court Building, Arlington National Cemetery, the National Cathedral, many of the war memorials, Williamsburg, Jamestown and countless others. It was non-stop from 6 am to 10 pm when we came stumbling into the hotel. It was commando vacationing to the max. As Mr. Scoville says, “To be early is to be on time, and to be on time is to be late.”

Korean War Veterans Memorial. Photo by Ida Whitney.

This whole trip started with Mr. Scoville. He customizes every trip for every group so every year is different. He has spent the last two years planning and working through all the little details to make sure we got the most out of our trip. This also couldn’t have been done without all the chaperones, who somehow managed not to lose any one of us. For helping us raise money we wish to thank all the people who let us bag their groceries, bought our bake sale brownies, and ate our chocolate bars. Thank you to you! Lastly thank you to the GO BO Foundation for sponsoring one student essay winner to go to D.C. for free, a total of approximately $1,500.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial, aka “The Wall.” Photo by Ida Whitney.

It is so weird when you walk into a building and you literally feel like you’re on TV, in a movie or part of a famous photograph. That is how I felt in D.C. Everywhere we went was like…WOW! For me some of the things that truly left a lasting impression were the war memorials, Arlington National Cemetery, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, changing of the guards, and the wreath laying. These things were truly breathtaking to be a part of. When we went to Williamsburg it was like taking a step back in time. All the people stayed true to their character and they did it so well it was a little nerve-racking. We also went to a play called Shear Madness at the Kennedy Center; this was the most hilarious part of the trip. The things we saw and the places we went were really an once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Iwo Jima Memorial. Photo by Ida Whitney.

Ida Whitney is currently a student at Gibraltar Middle School. An aspiring photographer, Ida uses only her iPhone for taking photos and adding edits. She won first place in the Peninsula Pulse’s 2013 Hal Grutzmacher’s Photography Jubilee.