News

Soaking in History

Students Explore Washington D.C. on the Eve of a Momentous Inauguration

Elise Dykstra • January 18, 2025

On Sunday, outside the nation’s Capitol Building Brandt Haakenstad, Olivia Wickman, Mikey Sarik, Julia Hines, Ryan Hinson, Chloe Broers, and Jonathan Thangaraj.

John Lee

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Lincoln Memorial

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Students take in the sites and sounds of Washington D.C. Temperatures are expected to drop from mild 46-degree weather today to the 20s by Monday.

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Walking through the streets of Washington, D.C., Mason City High School students take in the National 9-11 Pentagon Memorial.

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Julia Hines, Chloe Broers, Olivia Wickman, Jonathan Thangaraj, Ryan Hines, Brandt Haakenstad, and Mikey Sarik at the Air Force Memorial in the nation’s capital.

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Jonathan Thangaraj and John Lee at the Air Force Memorial, Washington, D.C.

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National Mall, Washington, D.C.

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Mikey Sarik, Ryan Hinson, Brandt Haakenstad, Jonathan Thangaraj at the National Mall.

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While landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, senior Ryan Hinson snaps an aerial photo of the National Monument. The students flew into the nation’s capitol early Saturday morning to witness the historic transfer of power from President Joe Biden to President-Elect Donald J. Trump. The ceremony takes place Monday at noon.

Ryan Hinson

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Leaving from Minneapolis

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Saturday marked the first day in Washington D.C. for seven members of the AP Government class. After landing around 9 a.m. Eastern time, the students visited several popular D.C. sights including the 9-11 monument, the National Mall, the Arlington National Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Air Force Memorial.

“The highlight of the first day for me was seeing the Arlington National Cemetery,” said senior Brandt Haakenstad. “It was very cool to witness decades of tradition such as the guarding of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and see historic gravestones such as JFK.”

Ryan Hinson, also a senior, said that the Arlington National Cemetery was his favorite as well. “We learned so much about how America honors its veterans,” he added.

John Lee, the AP government teacher leading this trip, remarked in a Facebook post, “I’m getting all too old for all the walking, but I absolutely love Washington, D.C.” The group’s Facebook page is called M.C. in D.C.

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About the Contributor

Elise Dykstra, Writer

Elise Dykstra is a junior here at MCHS. She lives in Nora Springs but has attended Mason City School District her entire life. Here at MCHS, she enjoys playing soccer, running for the cross country team, and playing cello in the school orchestra. After high school, she would like to attend a four-year university to get a degree in Kinesiology or Biomechanics. She would also like to run cross country collegiately and/or play for a college orchestra. Eventually, she would like to be an advanced athletic trainer or physical therapist. Elise joined journalism as a fun way to learn more about writing as well as activities around the school and in the community. She’s excited to help keep the school at large informed about what’s happening here at MCHS. A writing lover, she is excited to explore new ways to communicate and showcase what students and teachers at MCHS are accomplishing.