Hemlock Middle School 8th grade students returned on April 29 from another successful trip to Washington, D.C. This is the 13th annual trip that Hemlock’s 8th-grade students have taken to the District of Columbia, under the leadership of Jennifer Pedelty, Hemlock Middle School Social Studies teacher. The students toured many things in three very short days and walk anywhere from 7-10 miles a day.
Some attractions visited were: The White House, U.S. Capitol Building, Mount Vernon, The Lincoln, Jefferson, FDR, MLK, Vietnam, Korea, 9/11 Pentagon, Air Force, Iwo Jima and WW2 Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery, the National Cathedral, and a dinner and dance cruise on the Potomac River.
There were also six Honor Flights taking place in D.C., so there were veterans from WW2 as well as every war our country has fought since WW2; it was an amazing experience for our students to be able to shake veteran’s hands and thank them for their service.
Another highlight of the trip was that each student, parent, and teacher laid a carnation at the base of the Vietnam Memorial. The student’s course leader also gave students paper, pencils, names, and locations of persons from Saginaw and Hemlock and the students did a rubbing of the name.
Parent Jill Hogenson said, “Thank you to SS Studies teacher Mrs. Pedelty for an amazingly organized, smooth, and super fun trip!! I went about 13-years ago with our son from a different school district, and it was nowhere near what Mrs. Pedelty put together for our kids. Thank you for your endless work and calm spirit amid it all!”
“My favorite part of the trip was going to Mount Vernon. I think it was really cool to see where one of our founding fathers lived. D.C. was a lot more fun than I expected. I thought the bus ride would be boring and people would not get along, but we all had fun and got along really well” said a student.
World Strides, Discover Now!, the tour company with which Hemlock travels, awarded seven partially funded scholarship to our students. Two students received scholarships through Hemlock Middle School D.C. Scholarship Fund. Due to scholarships and donations, nine students received either full or partial financial support.
Hemlock Middle School would like to thank the following for the gracious financial support that was received this year; the Hemlock Partnership with Hemlock Semiconductor, funds from the Saginaw Lawyers Auxiliary, the Saginaw Fordney Club, and Wal-Mart. They would like to thank the teachers, administration, school board, parents, community members, and chaperones who allowed for this trip to take place, and for various fundraising and support. Many thanks, to World Strides and Mitchell Motorcoach. And, thank you to the students who were gracious and respectful. History and civics come alive for these kids due to the time, effort, and funding.
This trip is life-changing for many and inspirational for all who attend. It may be the first and only time some students ever leave Michigan. It adds a tangible quality to the lessons and world events that kids learn and experience. From the home of our first President to the home of our sitting President, they get to experience our government, and our country’s history unfold before them.
If you would like to make a donation for a student in need, or towards all students for our 2019-20 trip, please contact Jennifer Pedelty at pedelty@hemlockps.com