Dear Friend,
The class of 2024 greatly enjoyed our annual journey to Washington, D.C. this month!
Our 8th graders spent a week touring the Capitol and meeting influential people, as a part of the capstone trip of the Imago Dei Leadership Forum class.
We Saw Amazing Things…
Throughout our five days in D.C., we visited many important landmarks, including the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, Ford’s Theater, the Lincoln Memorial, the World War II Memorial, and the MLK, Jr. Memorial.
As a matter of fact, our students each took turns reading from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech in front of his monument.
They had the opportunity to get behind-the-scenes tours of both the U.S. Capitol (including a visit on the House floor!) and the courtroom of the U.S. Supreme Court.
We also visited the Vietnam War Memorial, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, The National Archives, The Library of Congress, The National Gallery of Art, and the Museum of the Bible (always the students’ favorite!).
8th graders Bosco, Tyler, Michael, and Andrew at the Lincoln Memorial.
8th grade posed with the U.S. Capitol Building in the background.
8th grade at the Jefferson Memorial.
8th grade at the U.S. Supreme Court.
We Met Incredible People…
Our students also had the wonderful privilege of hearing inspiring stories from a number of influential leaders.
Our 8th graders met with Fox News anchor, Shannon Bream, U.S. Senate Chaplain Barry Black, Civil Rights Activist Bob Woodson, Focus on the Family VP Tim Goeglein, and Congresswoman Alma Adams.
This year, through a good friend of mine from Alabama—Congressman Robert Aderholt—we had a surprise meeting with the newly elected Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson! He interacted with our students and shared about the Christian imagery, statues, and symbols in the U.S. Capitol, as well as what it means to treat others as image-bearers of God. What an unexpected blessing!
8th grade with news anchor, Shannon Bream
8th grade with Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson
8th grade with U.S. Senate Chaplain, Barry Black
8th grade with Congresswoman, Alma Adams
A Family History in Memoriam:
For two of our 8th graders, the Vietnam War memorial had deep, personal significance.
Both Ranno Roo and Esther Bumbre have grandparents from the Montagnard community of the Vietnam Central Highlands who fought side-by-side with U.S. troops. They had the opportunity to honor that history by paying their respects—especially to a Vietnam Veteran at the Memorial who spoke to our group and was deeply blessed to meet Ranno and Esther.
8th grader Ranno Roo in front of the Vietnam Memorial
We give God all the glory for this wonderful trip. We also want to thank you as well. We wouldn’t be able to give our students these experiences without your amazing generosity and support.