Back to Haley Horstemeyer for a recap of our trip...
Day 1: After waiting for the drug dog to give us the ok, we embarked on our 7-hour journey to Washington DC. Mostly we slept and listened to our iPods, all patiently waiting until we arrived. The second we got into the city, we all split up and roamed for a bit about the city. There were street vendors everywhere trying to sell us everything from Obama-Biden coffee mugs to a huge canvas oil painting of Obama in front of the White House. We ate then went on a nighttime monument tour of DC. Next we meandered back to the hotel, which began the trials and tribulations that we call ROOM ASSIGNMENTS. After we were all settled, we headed to our rooms and waited for the next day to come.
Day 2: After waking up late because of a faulty alarm clock, my group rushed downstairs to grab a muffin and head off into DC. Our first stop was at Mount Vernon (George Washington's estate), where we did some more of that patient waiting. Mount Vernon was lovely and historically fascinating and horrendously freezing. The thing that seemed to interest us most was just how tiny the beds in the household were. (the guide insisted that they were 6.5 feet long, but we knew better) We managed to eat lunch at the food court (another trying experience because of the overflow of people). Next we migrated to Arlington National Cemetery, which I expected to be boring, but ended up being my favorite place we visited. To me, it was a profound experience to see so many people who were willing to protect our country. After Arlington, we headed to the hotel so that we could get ready for our inaugural ball. Being that we were running a tad bit late, we only had 20 minutes to get ready. The pandemonium that was 4-Girls-Getting-Dressed-and-Ready was certainly a sight to see. At the dance, Myrtle Beach were the superstars! We were the first ones on the floor, and we probably would have been the last ones off, if not for the fact that we had to wake up early the next morning.
Day 3: INAUGURATION DAY!!! After a 4:30 a.m. wake-up call, we arrived in DC by 6 so that we could stand on a street corner for 6 hours until the inauguration began. Needless to say, we were the littlest bit grumpy and tired while waiting. To pass the boredom, we all chattered and somehow there was a large group of us that fell asleep standing up (that takes TALENT!). After what seemed like centuries, the inauguration began. Being that I am 5'3, I felt like there was always a family of giants standing in front of me, inhibiting my view of the Jumbotron, but I did manage to hear everything that Obama said. It was absolutely amazing to hear this historical landmark happen. Hearing the address made the waiting, the freezing, and the lack of sleep worth it. After the inauguration (and hours of traffic) we made it to the Pentagon City Mall (which was also packed) where we all goofed off and relaxed. We made it back to the hotel early and were finally able to sleep!
Day 4: Day 4 was met with the realization that we had to leave, so we packed our bags haphazardly and dragged them downstairs. After a quick visit to the capital, we were on our way back to Myrtle Beach and the prospect of school the next day. We shared pictures and stories the whole way home.
This trip was truly an amazing experience. Being able to see history happen with some of my closest friends was fantastic. Its really cool to know that 20 or 30 years from now I can look at a history book and say that I saw Obama become president.
Thanks to Mrs. Martin, Mr. Wallace, Mrs. Kerr, and Coach Beck to putting up with us for 4 days, and being brave enough to take us on this trip.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Inauguration Day! Tuesday, January 20th
Martin's notes:
Today has been a long, cold day! We left the hotel at 5 am to travel to downtown Washington.
That being said, I have no student bloggers this evening as they are letting off some steam by playing games together and swimming. The trip has been fast paced and far busier than they could have dreamed it would be! I know they've had a great time but many of us are looking forward to the trip home to (snowy??) Myrtle Beach. We will be visiting the Capitol tomorrow and the National Archives followed by a bus trip home.
This morning at 4 my alarm went off and I hopped out of bed. It's not often that I can say that, but today it is the truth! I am a political junkie and being in Washington is just what I need every couple of years to get recharged. I think being at an inauguration will keep me going for a while... at least until the next one!
We walked the dark streets of Washington with hundreds of people who had also gotten up early to see this historic occasion. As we scouted out a location, we discovered that we were about as close as you could get without having tickets. It was disappointing to see as the ceremonies were taking place how much free space the ticketed area still had open.
We began our long wait.
As the sun began to rise over the Capitol building, I truly felt it was a new day for our country. I was filled with a feeling of humility and honor- it was amazing to be standing there with 44 of Myrtle Beach's finest students. These kids are amazing... they all decided to go on the trip on their own. I know I couldn't have chosen a better crowd. They are funny, intelligent, and caring. Most importantly, they are curious. They want to know how, and why, and when. They point out small matters of interest to their friends and they're not afraid to ask questions about things they don't understand. These students will be leading us, sooner than you think.
We stood together in the bitter cold for 6 hours. We talked to each other and others around us. We sang, we played games, we tried (and failed) to sleep standing up. We met Samuel L. Jackson. We discovered how much personal space you have when you're in a huge crowd. (The answer? None. You have no personal space.) Mr. Wallace said that our kids were "just a good time, waiting for a place to happen" and we happened on the National Mall today.
Then we watched the inauguration. I was overwhelmed. I stood in the cold with a bunch of strangers for 6 hours for a 1 hour ceremony.
I'd do it again tomorrow.
What a feeling to see in action that anyone can be President. You can come from a difficult background and become President. I looked at my kids and though, they all, truly, can become President. Having spent the last 3 days with them, I wouldn't put it past them.
What a feeling it was to be one with America. We were standing together for the same reason.
To understand, as a government teacher, how infrequently power changes hands in countries around the world without bloodshed. And yet, we do it here every 4 years. How lucky we are. How amazing we are!
To hear President Obama say something that rang so true to me as a teacher... we will extend a hand if you will unclench your fist.
What an honor to be there with these students here today. What an amazing honor, one that I'll never forget.
Today has been a long, cold day! We left the hotel at 5 am to travel to downtown Washington.
That being said, I have no student bloggers this evening as they are letting off some steam by playing games together and swimming. The trip has been fast paced and far busier than they could have dreamed it would be! I know they've had a great time but many of us are looking forward to the trip home to (snowy??) Myrtle Beach. We will be visiting the Capitol tomorrow and the National Archives followed by a bus trip home.
This morning at 4 my alarm went off and I hopped out of bed. It's not often that I can say that, but today it is the truth! I am a political junkie and being in Washington is just what I need every couple of years to get recharged. I think being at an inauguration will keep me going for a while... at least until the next one!
We walked the dark streets of Washington with hundreds of people who had also gotten up early to see this historic occasion. As we scouted out a location, we discovered that we were about as close as you could get without having tickets. It was disappointing to see as the ceremonies were taking place how much free space the ticketed area still had open.
We began our long wait.As the sun began to rise over the Capitol building, I truly felt it was a new day for our country. I was filled with a feeling of humility and honor- it was amazing to be standing there with 44 of Myrtle Beach's finest students. These kids are amazing... they all decided to go on the trip on their own. I know I couldn't have chosen a better crowd. They are funny, intelligent, and caring. Most importantly, they are curious. They want to know how, and why, and when. They point out small matters of interest to their friends and they're not afraid to ask questions about things they don't understand. These students will be leading us, sooner than you think.
We stood together in the bitter cold for 6 hours. We talked to each other and others around us. We sang, we played games, we tried (and failed) to sleep standing up. We met Samuel L. Jackson. We discovered how much personal space you have when you're in a huge crowd. (The answer? None. You have no personal space.) Mr. Wallace said that our kids were "just a good time, waiting for a place to happen" and we happened on the National Mall today.Then we watched the inauguration. I was overwhelmed. I stood in the cold with a bunch of strangers for 6 hours for a 1 hour ceremony.
I'd do it again tomorrow.
What a feeling to see in action that anyone can be President. You can come from a difficult background and become President. I looked at my kids and though, they all, truly, can become President. Having spent the last 3 days with them, I wouldn't put it past them.
What a feeling it was to be one with America. We were standing together for the same reason.
To understand, as a government teacher, how infrequently power changes hands in countries around the world without bloodshed. And yet, we do it here every 4 years. How lucky we are. How amazing we are!
To hear President Obama say something that rang so true to me as a teacher... we will extend a hand if you will unclench your fist.
What an honor to be there with these students here today. What an amazing honor, one that I'll never forget.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Today's Events- Monday, Jan. 19th
Martin's notes: today we were runnin'! We started our day at Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington. I had never been there before- it was quite impressive. 
The house itself was pretty big and interesting to see. I can't imagine how difficult it was for him to leave his amazing home and views of the Potomac to serve his country in war and peace. I have always admired him (though Jefferson is my favorite), but I have a new respect for him and what he did as the father of our country.
We then visited Arlington National Cemetery where we saw the tomb of the unknown soldier and the eternal flame at the grave of John F. Kennedy and the grave of Robert Kennedy.
I'm going to turn it over to Haley Horstemeyer, a junior, to tell about her experiences today...
I've never had anyone in my family die in a war before. I've never had a connection to the
military, I've never had to worry about a family member die overseas-nothing! So when I first heard we were going to Arlington National Cemetery, all I thought was "Sweet, old tombs!" The thing is, I didn't know that the 'sweet old tombs' would seem to last forever. Just rows and rows of cold-looking white and off-white tablets. It had never really hit me just how important the tombs were. The tombs meant someone lost a parent, a spouse, a child, a friend, etc. just so that we could be safe. I'd never thought of it that way before...
Visiting the Arlington National Cemetery was a really profound experience for me. It made me realize just how deep patriotism for the US is. To be willing to give your life to save people they don't know or will never meet is the most selfless act there is. To understand that people
you don't know are dying (and have died) to save ME and YOU was a really enlightening experience. The whole ordeal has made me appreciate soldiers and the war in Iraq so much more than I used to, and maybe now you feel a bit more appreciative too. As it turns out, Arlington National Cemetery is indeed full of sweet tombs, but the individuals that fill the tombs are some of the bravest and most honorable people we'll never meet.
The house itself was pretty big and interesting to see. I can't imagine how difficult it was for him to leave his amazing home and views of the Potomac to serve his country in war and peace. I have always admired him (though Jefferson is my favorite), but I have a new respect for him and what he did as the father of our country.We then visited Arlington National Cemetery where we saw the tomb of the unknown soldier and the eternal flame at the grave of John F. Kennedy and the grave of Robert Kennedy.
I'm going to turn it over to Haley Horstemeyer, a junior, to tell about her experiences today...
I've never had anyone in my family die in a war before. I've never had a connection to the
military, I've never had to worry about a family member die overseas-nothing! So when I first heard we were going to Arlington National Cemetery, all I thought was "Sweet, old tombs!" The thing is, I didn't know that the 'sweet old tombs' would seem to last forever. Just rows and rows of cold-looking white and off-white tablets. It had never really hit me just how important the tombs were. The tombs meant someone lost a parent, a spouse, a child, a friend, etc. just so that we could be safe. I'd never thought of it that way before... Visiting the Arlington National Cemetery was a really profound experience for me. It made me realize just how deep patriotism for the US is. To be willing to give your life to save people they don't know or will never meet is the most selfless act there is. To understand that people
you don't know are dying (and have died) to save ME and YOU was a really enlightening experience. The whole ordeal has made me appreciate soldiers and the war in Iraq so much more than I used to, and maybe now you feel a bit more appreciative too. As it turns out, Arlington National Cemetery is indeed full of sweet tombs, but the individuals that fill the tombs are some of the bravest and most honorable people we'll never meet. Sunday, January 18, 2009
We're in Washington! Sunday, January 18
Martin's notes: We left MBHS this morning at 6:00 and have spent the day travelling and touring DC. The kids have been excited and their excitement is contagious! The kids are posting into this blog through my laptop.
My name is Elizabeth Monte and I'm a sophomore at Myrtle Beach High School. The most inspirational part of my trip today was the Vietnam War Memorial. We were able to visit the Memorial at night and it was very touching to see the sacrifices that people have made for our country. Something that I am most excited for during this experience is getting to see the swearing in of our new president.
My name is Joy Himmelsbach and I'm a sophomore at MBHS. One of the coolest parts of the trip so far has been seeing all of the people from around the country who have come together for this event.
My name is Shelley Krzyzaniak and I'm a junior at MBHS. I was amazed at all the people that are here in Washington, there are so many faces and languages. I also thought it was cool that it's Lincoln's 200th Birthday on the same day as the Obama inauguration. It's so cool how that works out that we are here to see the real result of the Emancipation Proclamation.
My name is Elizabeth Monte and I'm a sophomore at Myrtle Beach High School. The most inspirational part of my trip today was the Vietnam War Memorial. We were able to visit the Memorial at night and it was very touching to see the sacrifices that people have made for our country. Something that I am most excited for during this experience is getting to see the swearing in of our new president.
My name is Joy Himmelsbach and I'm a sophomore at MBHS. One of the coolest parts of the trip so far has been seeing all of the people from around the country who have come together for this event.
My name is Shelley Krzyzaniak and I'm a junior at MBHS. I was amazed at all the people that are here in Washington, there are so many faces and languages. I also thought it was cool that it's Lincoln's 200th Birthday on the same day as the Obama inauguration. It's so cool how that works out that we are here to see the real result of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Here we are!
This is the home of the Myrtle Beach High School Inauguration Trip Blog. Check back here for information, stories, and pictures about our trip.
Media coverage of our trip so far...
WMBF - Thursday, January 8
The Sun News - Sunday, January 11
WPDE - Tuesday, January 13
If you see or hear a story about us, please drop a line and let us know!
Media coverage of our trip so far...
WMBF - Thursday, January 8
The Sun News - Sunday, January 11
WPDE - Tuesday, January 13
If you see or hear a story about us, please drop a line and let us know!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
