The seniors took their big field trip yesterday, and what a wallop of a day it was! After getting up bright and early, we left at 6:30 for a two-hour drive to Gridley, IL. The students visited the home of Clark Stoller, who is an avid World War II buff that has collected many artifacts through the years. Of course, none were as memorable as the Japanese rifle and sword!
After an hour-long talk on the War in the Pacific, where Mr. Stoller brought out stories from his father who had served as a medic, the students took a 1/2 hour drive to Pontiac to visit the Livingston County War Museum. There, they were able to speak with veterans who had served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. They were able to see uniforms, ammunition, artillery, helmets, and many other items of interest.
The next stop was Mario's Pizza, where the veterans treated us to lunch! We had all the pizza we could eat, and the curator of the museum loaded us up with boxes of snacks, chips, cookies, and soda.
Ronald Reagan Museum in Eureka was the next stop on the trip. The students participated in a self-guided tour that included materials from all eras of Reagan's life.
The last stop on the trip was the Rave Theater in Peoria, where the students watched "Invictus." This movie is about Nelson Mandela, rugby, and a desperate attempt to put the old racial caste system of apartheid in the past. Mandela realized that success in rugby was crucial to South Africa's success, and the movie incorporated that theme well.
Overall, it was a fantastic trip and one that will surely be remembered for a long time to come!
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