In December, the 8th Grade Visited Washington D.C.

As part of Hartfield’s mission to create devoted Christ followers, lifelong learners, servant leaders who are committed hard workers and skilled relationship builders, every grade has the opportunity to take a class trip to help build upon these pillars

 

In December, the 8th grade class headed to our country’s capitol for an experience that was both spiritual and educational. 

 

Headmaster and chaperone, David Horner explained,  “the goal of the trip was to see how God worked in the men who set out to create this new, different country while trusting him in every step. Seeing how we, as Christians, are set apart, just like our founding fathers who founded this country to be set apart.”

 

This four-day trip was jam-packed with visits to multiple monuments, memorials, museums, and even a service project where students packed meals for 15,000 people in need around the D.C. area. 

 

“My favorite part about the trip was getting to see all of the amazing things I had seen pictures of in real life like the Lincoln Memorial,” 8th grader Lela Walker said. “This trip impacted my life when God showed me, through the Holocaust museum, that he has a plan even when times are really hard. God can use anyone and everything for good, even if it doesn't feel good in the moment.”

 

In addition to the Holocaust Museum, the students visited the Bible Museum, the Smithsonian Museum, and toured the Capitol, even getting the opportunity to meet Congressman Michael Guest.

 

Tanner Bryant looks back on the D.C. trip, saying, “The 8th-grade trip to Washington, D.C., was a great experience for everyone who attended. One of my favorite things about the trip was visiting the Capitol. The Capitol showed me that our country pays great attention to detail, as shown by the art and architecture of the building. Something I learned was that the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the Capitol Building, and the White House form a cross. At the center of the cross is the Washington Monument. This is an amazing example of our country being founded on God, and that God works in every little detail. The D.C. trip impacted me to pay attention to God’s details in every small thing. I am so glad my classmates and I had the opportunity to experience Washington, D.C.”

 

The group consisted of 62 8th-graders, 9 student leaders (juniors and seniors), and 5 adult chaperones.

 

“The students as well as the leaders got the opportunity to visit memorials as well as national monuments throughout our time there. It helped me to further develop respect and admiration for those who sacrificed for our country and gave for the greater good. Learning about the creation of these monuments and memorials has also helped me to better understand our nation’s history as a whole,” senior leader Carlysle Harkins said. 

 

Hatfield offers students one-of-a-kind experiences to see God’s creation, learn about the world around us, and grow in the Spirit.

 

“I am so thankful that I was able to go to Washington, D.C., with my grade this year. I absolutely loved seeing awesome places that I’ve only ever seen in pictures; it was so incredible to see them in real life,” stated Harlow White. “The biggest thing I learned is the impact the Holocaust had and the horrific events that took place. This impacted me a lot. Just seeing some of the things and reading about the events made me realize how blessed I am and how loving and forgiving our God is.”