Pacelli students take trip to D.C.
Published 7:42 am Saturday, April 7, 2018
- Pacelli Juniors and Seniors in front of the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C. Photo provided
By Laura Sheedy
Math teacher and activities director
Every other school year, a group of Pacelli seniors and juniors are invited to join in a trip to our nation’s capital.
On Saturday, March 24, this year’s group took off from Rochester airport in the wee hours of the morning to fly, via Chicago, to Washington, D.C. for a four day adventure.
For almost half of the students, this was their first time traveling by plane, which was an awesome adventure in itself. Watching the sun rise over the city of Chicago as we landed was a wonderful moment to experience through the eyes of the students.
Another first was to travel the Metro-rail in DC. As we exited the subway, we were greeted by a long line of people entering the subway who had just concluded the March for Our Lives, organized by students from Parkland, Florida. Signs and posters lay along the subway entrance for all to see.
Four days is a short time to see and do all that is available in Washington, D.C. In the time that we had, we filled our days. Most days we were out of the hotel by 8 a.m. and returned 12 hours later. In this time we had the opportunity to visit a number of the Smithsonian Museums, visit the Holocaust Museum, and take a night walking tour of the many monuments on the National Mall. We visited Ford’s Theatre to learn first hand what took place the night that President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. Students had the opportunity to ask questions of the actor portraying the sheriff at the time of President Lincoln’s death.
Pacelli Juniors and Seniors attended Palm Sunday Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Photos provided
Chaperones Sally McConnell and Steve Holtorf added to the fun and learning that took place.
Other highlights of the trip included participating in Palm Sunday Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, attending the play “Shear Madness” at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and visiting Arlington National Cemetery.
Plenty of shenanigans and dancing on the Metro-rail also made special memories for the students. Upon returning to school this week, the group presented a highlight reel of what they saw and learned during their time in Washington, D.C. to the middle and high school students.
I am already looking forward to the next trip in 2020 and all that is in store for our upcoming Juniors/Seniors of Pacelli Catholic Schools.
If you are interested in learning more about Pacelli Catholic Schools visit our website at www.pacellischools.org, email admin@pacellischools.org or call 507-437-3278. Enrollment for the 2018-19 school year is now open.
