On December 4-10, 2024, sixth graders from schools in Garfield County went to Washington D.C. We left Panguitch at 1:30 in the morning, for Las Vegas. This was the first time a lot of us had been on an airplane. We got to D.C. late that afternoon. We got to see a lot of the Smithsonian, the White House where we saw the official White House Christmas tree, the Capitol, the Library of Congress, Monuments, and a lot more.
I thought that when we went to the Washington Monument it was pretty cool. I learned that it is the world’s largest tower built without steel support. It was cool to look out the window at the top and see everything for miles. If you looked at Arlington Cemetery, where we went a few days before, there are perfect white headstones in perfect rows for almost as far as you can see.
When we went to Arlington Cemetery it surprised me how cold it was, and how many graves there were. Some students got to lay a few wreaths on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and we all got to participate in the ceremony.
My favorite museum is the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. I liked all of the dresses from all of the first ladies, musical instruments from history, and Muhammad Ali’s boxing gloves. We got to see the real ruby red shoes, from The Wizard of Oz.
There are lots of monuments for the people and leaders who helped us become a country and so we can still be free. We got to go to the temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and see 87 nativities from 64 countries. Being there at Christmastime was especially neat because all of the trees with Christmas lights reflected in the giant reflecting pool.
We left D.C. early Monday morning and made our way home. I am really glad we got this opportunity and that I got to share these memories with my friends and my dad.
– by Addie P. (6th) Panguitch
Feature image caption: Garfield County 6th-graders and parents tour the White House in Washington, DC on December 6.
Read about what more sixth graders thought of D.C. in A Week in Washington, DC by Elaine Baldwin.