By Kristin Frank (Sports Editor) and Owen Paiva (Entertainment Editor)

Students from Jonathan Law visited the Washington D.C. area for the inauguration of President Trump and toured the area throughout the week.

The main draw of the trip was the inauguration, which is one of the most significant events during a president’s tenure. The trip was organized by history teachers Ms. Burns and Mr. Zuraw.

“It was a beneficial trip for the students because this was a once in a lifetime historic event,” Burns said. “We wanted the kids to have that opportunity.”

Students also were able to visit the many historic landmarks in the D.C. area during the five-day trip.

“Our students visited Smithsonian Museums and Arlington National Cemetery, where we saw the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and watched the Changing of the Guard; that is an awesome ceremony,” history teacher and chaperone Ms. Mannion said.  “We paid our respects at the grave of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy and his two brothers’ graves, Robert and Edward.”

The students who attended the trip had developed a set of their personal favorite landmarks that they saw along the way.

“We went to the Arlington Cemetery where I learned that they have the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers 24/7,” junior Maggie Kelly said. “We went to Mount Vernon and got to see everything George Washington had on his land.”

Regardless of their political views, this trip was enjoyed by all.

“The trip was a great experience and I’ve never seen the inauguration up close,” assistant principal Mr. Marko said. “There were 60 of us who went and all had different political views and to see them come together to share dinners and conversations even after discussing our opinions was my favorite part.”

There was something for everyone who attended.

“We visited a host of other monuments and memorials, including FDR, the Jefferson Memorial, MLK, the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam War Wall Memorial, the World War II memorial and the Korean War Memorial,” Mannion said.

This trip provided both the chaperones and students with more knowledge about politics and government.

“After going on this trip I better understand how the government works,” junior Emma Carollo said. “I also learned the importance of maintaining these historical monuments, buildings, and museums so that other generations can share the same experience I did.”

The whole experience was worth the journey, and the inauguration was the main highlight.

“The experience of being part of the inauguration was special,” senior Zach Anderson said. “ I also found it nice that while the trip was very educational, we all had a good time.”

No matter which candidate students wanted to win, the inauguration was still worthwhile.

“I learned from this trip, that no matter your political affiliation, the inauguration was a moment of history,” senior Jill Bendlak said. “We got to witness a huge event that will be talked about forever, going to an inauguration is something that very few people get a chance to do, and I feel incredibly lucky I was given this opportunity.”

Those who attended were able to take back ample amounts of memories they created in D.C.

“I have never been to D.C. before so seeing all of the monuments,  memorials, and the Supreme Court in person was amazing,” senior Tori Contaxis said.

Some of the chaperons have made the trip to D.C. before. Marko explains that he had experienced a few differences between the times that he has traveled there.  

“I have been to D.C. before when I was a history teacher at my old school and used to take about 250 students to this city,” Marko said. “The biggest difference this time was the amount of security since time has passed, I saw more security in the museums that we visited and the travel time was longer as well.”

Students saw all the monuments that D.C. had to offer.

“We saw every monument possible – the Washington Monument, the Korean/Vietnam War Memorials, and the Iwo Jima Memorial, for example,” senior Matt Zancewicz said. “They were all very informative and gave out a sense of respect for the fallen soldiers,  Arlington was also a solemn place to go and give respect for the soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

Aside from Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon was a very popular stop among those who attended the trip.  Mount Vernon is located in Virginia and was the home of George Washington.

“I enjoyed seeing Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home,” Bendlak said. “It was so surreal to see his property and actually see the bed he died in, he is the foundation of our country, and it was amazing to see the way he lived.”

The estate also serves as the burial location of Washington.

“Overall my favorite was attending the inauguration but I also really enjoyed visiting Arlington National Cemetery and Mount Vernon,” Anderson said.

The students also met with Rosa DeLauro, Congresswoman from Connecticut’s Third District, and Milford Mayor Ben Blake when they visited the Capitol Building. DeLauro has been the a Congresswoman for 28 years.

“We stood outside the Rayburn Congressional Office Building in DC, where Congresswoman DeLauro has her office,” Mannion said. “She explained her work today and how she came to run for Congress 28 years ago.”  

For both the students and teachers, this was a unique experience.

“She was very inspiring and enthusiastic, she was so gracious to spend that much time with us,” Mannion said. “We might have a future member of Congress here at Law, you never know.”