On October 31, students in the America and the World III classes took a field trip to the Holocaust Museum and the Smithsonian Museum of American History in Washington DC. 

Students in these classes are learning about World War II and the effects of the Holocaust as part of a unit on conflicts of the 20th century.

Social studies teacher Mr. William Doody commented, “The visit to Washington DC allows them to enhance their learning by viewing the exhibits and artifacts at the Holocaust Museum and the Smithsonian Museum of American History.” 

Students were divided into small groups which were assigned chaperones. Half of the groups went to the Holocaust museum while the others visited the Smithsonian. They spent about seven hours in D.C visiting the museums. Students were also given a pamphlet to help them navigate the exhibits at the museums. 

Sophomore Cheyenne Rayba describes the reasons she was interested in going on the trip, “I am genuinely interested in learning about the Holocaust; its a once in a lifetime chance to go with my class to the museums” 

The trip was for sophomores in the America and the World classes and was free of cost to the students.

Mr. Doody added, “This field trip is being funded by a generous grant arranged through the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies.  The only cost to students was for souvenirs and any meals or snacks.  Because the trip is funded through the grant, students will be completing a reflection project following the trip.  Those projects will be submitted to the Foundation.”

During the trip, Two Holocaust survivors were visiting the museum for the first time in three years. Some students got the chance to sit with them and hear their stories and ask questions. 

“The Social Studies department hopes that the students who participated were inspired by the visit and that their interest in history will be strengthened,” concluded Mr. Doody.