A trip to Washington D.C. gave Lawrence youths a lesson in history and a lesson in travel.
Last June, Kendra Grosdidier, a teacher at Prairie Park School, organized a trip to Washington, D.C., for a group of nine Lawrence students. The goal was to see America's history up close.
All agreed the trip to our nation's capital was eye-opening and wonderful.
The travelers also agreed the return trip to Kansas City was the kind of adventure that builds character and tolerance.
It was a disaster.
A delayed flight, a canceled United Airlines flight, lost luggage, an unscheduled overnight hotel stay in Chicago and missed meals were the highlights of their trip home.
The adventure began at 5 a.m. on a Tuesday, June 8. They returned to Kansas City on the following Friday afternoon, a day later than planned but not short on enthusiasm, war stories or appreciation for their D.C. experience.
Grosdidier spread word about the trip to other teachers throughout the district. But students were on their own to pick up costs. Students making the trip were: Alicia Bowlin, 11, South Junior High School; Herman Exum, 13, Central Junior High School; Arna Hemenway, 11, Cordley School; Anthony Schwager, 12, South Junior High; Brandon Schwager, 11, Prairie Park School; Chelsie Swearingen, 10, Prairie Park School (now living in Olathe); Wes Sharpton, 12, South Junior High; Ryan Trembley, 11, Cordley; and Gardner Burg, 11, Cordley.
This was Grosdidier's second trip to the capital with a group of students.
"It was incredible for all of us," she said. "An experience like this enables the students to see the very things they're studying in class. When the kids realize this is the house where George Washington lived, this is where President Lincoln was shot and these are the war memorials we've read about, it ignites a little fire in them. They're curious about things that I can't get them to raise their hands and ask about in class."
Grosdidier said it was really great to get to know the students in a setting outside the classroom.
"The kids were perfect from start to finish."
She's already planning a third trip for next year.
-- Bill Snead's phone number is 832-7196. His e-mail address is bsnead@ljworld.com.
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