Area students go on American Heritage Tour

Students and parents from China, Vassalboro, Palermo, Waterville and Chelsea at the White House, in Washington, DC.

Submitted by Jane Golden

The American Heritage tour, offered through the Boys and Girls club and YMCA of Greater Waterville at the Alfond Youth Center, is an educational journey for eighth grade middle school students to learn about America’s history and how to contribute effectively as citizens. This educational trip is offered to many of the local schools every Spring.

The first trip of this year was with students from China, Vassalboro, Palermo, Waterville and Chelsea. Tour destinations included: The Liberty Bell and U. S. mint in Philadelphia; Gettysburg National Park, where the students visited different battleground sites and the museum; Arlington Cemetery where they witnessed the changing of the guard; Washington D. C. where they visited the Pentagon 9/11 memorial, Smithsonian museums, the Holocaust museum and George Washington’s Mt. Vernon; and the final destination was New York City where they visited the 9/11 memorial, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty and Times Square.

This year the China parents and students decided to raise funds to allow scholarships for students that needed financial assistance to go on the trip. Thanks to generous businesses in the local area, a couple of scholarships were awarded and those students were able to participate in a once in a life time experience. Much thanks goes to the following businesses that supported these students: Lakeview Lumber, MAJEK Seafood, Windsor Veterinary Clinic, Reed & Reed, Fieldstone Quick Stop, Whitt’s Garment Works, Hannaford and China Lake Auto Sales and Service.

China students and their parents at the White House. (Photos courtesy of Jane Golden)