A trip two years in the making provided lifelong memories for 47 members of the Houston High School choir.
The group of HHS students got a first-hand glimpse at our nation’s history and government in late May during a five-day trip to Washington, D.C. There were planned stops at destinations like Arlington National Cemetery, the White House and the Kennedy Performing Arts Center. But there were also impromptu moments of sharing music in their nation’s capitol that produced moments that will last a lifetime.
“I don’t think we knew what to expect at all,” junior Taylor Bryson said, “and it ended up being an amazing experience.”
Planning for the 16-hour trip began 24 months earlier. Choir director Beth Williamson, who said she wanted her students to experience their government for themselves, met with parents to share her idea. The cost was $556.50 per student. Those who could afford it would put money monthly into an account. Funds for the remaining students would be raised through fundraisers –– raffles, bake sells and selling ice cream at home football games –– and donations from local banks, businesses and private donors.
A charter bus with Williamson, eight other adult chaperones and the nearly 50 choir students departed from Houston on May 19. They traveled overnight and arrived in Washington, D.C., the next morning.
One of the first stops was Arlington National Cemetery, where the students participated in the wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. Bryson and senior Caroline Dunn placed the wreath on the tomb.
Williamson said the group’s touring company told her Houston was the first school to bring its own wreath –– created and donated by Shari McCallister of D&L Florist –– to the ceremony. The previous schools had purchased their wreaths after arriving in the city.
“Our tour guide said, ‘You must have an amazing community that someone is willing to make the wreath, call and get the dimensions and donate it,’” Williamson said. “And I said, ‘Yes, we do have a great community.’”
A visit to the Smithsonian and a medieval feast were also part of Day 1. The second day included a tour of the capital building, where the group visited with Rep. Jason Smith and Sen. Roy Blunt. There were also stops at the Ford’s Theatre, Petersen House, National Archives, 911 memorial at the Pentagon, the Air Force Memorial and the White House.
The group toured as many landmarks as possible from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. each day.
“It’s neat to have my own images of the monuments,” said HHS junior Elisa Williamson. “I don’t have to just read about them in a book. I can think back to my own memory of what they were like.”
The choir had a scheduled outdoor concert as part of the tour near the capitol building. But they also sang three other times during impromptu opportunities to share their talents in the nation’s capitol.
The first was at Arlington National Cemetery.
“They took a pitch out of the air and all of the sudden this music came floating over the people. It was so neat,” Beth Williamson said. “They embraced every situation and moment.”
A second singing opportunity came inside the Kennedy Performing Arts Center, where the student sang the national anthem and “Ain’t Judgin’ No Man” from their spring concert.
“They said, ‘You guys are a choir, would you like to sing?’” Williamson said. “It was amazing to sing in that facility.”
The final moment carried special significance. While visiting the Air Force Memorial, the Houston group crossed paths with an Honor Flight of military veterans. The contingent of about 40 was from Missouri and Illinois.
Williamson asked the veterans if her students could honor their service by singing the Star Spangled Banner. As the song progressed, the men one by one stood and saluted.
“I wasn’t able to see what was happening,” Williamson said, “but I saw tears on some of the kids’ faces. The music connected these two groups.”
The trip ended May 23 as the charter bus returned to Texas County. Williamson said the journey made a lifelong impression on everyone involved.
“They experienced patriotism,” Williamson said, “ and they became patriots.”
I don’t think we knew what to expect at all, and it ended up being an amazing experience.”