Thank you to Danville High School Social Studies Teacher Tevin Washington for contributing the following information, as well as student and staff testimonials.

Students enrolled in Tevin Washington’s AP African American Studies course had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. on an alternative spring break experience. Students visited many historical sites and museums during their spring break including having the opportunity to give back through volunteer service.

The first stop in Washington, D.C. was the National Mall. Students viewed many memorials that sit on the National Mall, including the Lincoln and Washington Memorials, the World War II, Vietnam, and Korean War memorials, as well as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. 

Also included on the itinerary was to visit Arlington National Cemetery. At Arlington, students paid their respects to the extended Kennedy family buried on the grounds and at the Tomb of the Unknown. The group was fortunate enough to witness the hallowed tradition of the Changing of the Guard.

A central piece of the alternative spring break experience was to volunteer. The students and adult chaperones volunteered at the Greater D.C. Diaper Bank. A special thanks to Community Schools Director Dakota Yates for finding this wonderful opportunity to give back. Students and chaperones not only packaged bundles of diapers that will benefit the greater D.C. area, but students were also given a tour of the facility by the director. Students packaged 379 bundles of diapers totaling 9,475 total diapers, to serve around 189 babies.

Finally, the alternative spring break experience included visiting two Smithsonian Museums: the National Museum of African American History and Culture as well as the National Museum of the American Indian. Students traveled through the history of African Americans from African origins up to the present day. Students viewed many exhibits and artifacts that highlighted the triumphs and travails of African Americans. At the National Museum of the American Indian, students viewed exhibits on the history of treaties between American Indians and the United States as well as general histories on Native American culture.

Quotes from students/chaperones on most impactful things from the trip:

"I have only been to D.C. once before and I barely remember it, but during this trip I visited museums I had never been to and gained deeper understanding. The African American Museum served as a refresher of content for the AP exam as well as reaffirmed my prior knowledge. My favorite part of the trip was the music and culture section of the African American museum."
-Ava Carpenter, Junior

"This was my first time in D.C., and I had a great experience. My favorite part was visiting Arlington National Cemetery and seeing JFKs gravesite and the cherry blossom trees."
-June Goodwin, Junior

"The most impactful place during this trip was the African American History and Culture Museum. I have gone to this museum multiple times in the past, yet I always find something new to learn when I visit. It is truly inspiring to see the history of resistance and perseverance of African Americans through the pain and suffering that was endured over the history of our country."
-Mr. Tevin Washington

"This is the first time I have ever been to D.C., and I was glad that I got to be with all my classmates and teachers to experience this trip. My favorite part of going to D.C. was walking the National Mall and seeing all of the memorials. This trip taught me so much about African American history and let me see so much in three short days."
 -Macee Vest, Junior

"This was my first time to D.C., but during this time I learned so much about not only my heritage but also about many other heritages. My favorite part was Arlington National Cemetery, when I saw the Changing of the Guard. I thought that was very interesting. I also really liked the Emmitt Till Memorial at the African American History and Culture Museum."
-Jazmyn Fields, Junior

"This was my first time in D.C., and I absolutely loved it. It was an amazing experience visiting the National Mall, Arlington Cemetery, and most importantly, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which was very fascinating to get to see in person and reflect back on many of the stuff we have learned in our AP AAS class. Getting to experience some of our country's history right in front of our eyes, especially in our nation's capital, was very impactful to me."
-Melanie Vallinas, Sophomore

"My first time in D.C. was eventful. As much as I enjoyed all of the history, I think the greatest thing I will remember about the trip is how hard all of our students worked at the Greater D.C. Area Diaper Bank. I was so proud of our kids. Everyone jumped right in, worked hard, and we managed to bundle over 9,000 diapers in less than two hours. The number of people we were able to help, and the way every student got involved left me feeling really good about what we do here at DHS."
-Mr. Joey Sallee

"It was a privilege to work alongside my students and colleagues at the Diaper Packing factory. I was most moved by watching everyone work so hard together for a good reason. Knowing that our work helped the community was worth the whole trip and my favorite part!"
-Ms. Christine Trevino

"This trip was very educational and a great first experience in D.C. The most impactful thing we did on our trip was the Museum of African American History and Culture because I got to see things that I had prior knowledge of from the class as well as new things that I have not seen or known before."
-Aubree Caldwell, Junior

"This trip to D.C. was a very memorable experience for me. It was amazing being able to see all of these monuments and museums that show different time periods and perspectives in history. However, my favorite part of the trip was working at the diaper bank with all my classmates."
-Ally Schommer, Junior

"This was my first time in D.C. Traveling there was a lot of fun, and I’m grateful for the opportunities Danville Schools was able to give us on the trip. My favorite and most impactful part of the trip was going to the African American History museum to learn more about the course we currently take at the high school."
-Brynn Haden-McCowan, Senior

"This was my first time in D.C., and I had a great time. The most impactful part of the trip was the WWII Memorial and the African American History museum. The Civil Rights Era and modern-day history section were my favorite parts."
-Avery Dunn, Junior

"The most impactful experience of this trip to D.C. for me was the opportunity to visit beautiful and informative museums focusing on the history of often under-served groups of people, the African American History Museum and the Museum of the American Indian. Both of these museums were wonderfully presented and put together, weaving together human and historical stories beautifully and in a very thought-provoking way." 
-Azrail Knoll, Senior

"This was my first time ever going to D.C., and it was a great learning chance for me. We went to the African American History Museum and the American Indian Museum. Both of these museums really helped me get a better grasp on what really happened in history to these groups of people. My favorite part of the trip was being able to see all of the different cultures through the museums, memorials, and the people who were visiting too. The trip was very impactful and enlightening for the three short days we were there."
-Lailah Batts, Sophomore

"This was my first time visiting D.C., and it taught me a lot about my history. I learned a lot more from both the African American History Museum and the American Indian Museum. The African American History Museum was impactful because it’s related to what we learn about in AP African American Studies. And I learned a lot from the American Indian Museum because I hardly knew anything about their history and how they were treated. These museums gave me new perspectives and knowledge about my own and different cultures."
-A’tiawna Miller, Junior