THOMASVILLE — Sixty-one Jerger Elementary students got the chance to go outside the classroom to learn history — close to 800 miles away. 

Fourth and fifth grade students toured different historic landmarks in Washington D.C. from May 2-7. 

“This was our first year of doing the D.C. trip,”  said fourth grade teacher Laura Young. 

Monuments visited over an excursion through the nation’s capital included the Arlington National Cemetery, World War II Memorial, Lincoln Memorial and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, among other historic landmarks. 

“We pretty much covered the basis,” Young said, noting giving the students a “snapshot” of history. 

Fifth grade teacher Leah Kornegay said students’ eyes lit up seeing the different monuments of history in person after learning different history aspects in school. 

“It really comes alive for them,” she said. 

The trip exemplified what is being taught in the classroom, such as the Revolutionary War for fourth graders and the Civil War to the present in fifth grade. 

“We took four days of school for an experience they won’t forget,” Young said, adding the trip would not be possible without the support from Jerger and the parents. 

When the students returned to school last Monday, after returning to Thomasville the day before, Young said the students were tired but eager and excited to talk about the trip. 

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.