Troup High students witness inauguration

Students from Troup High School took an eight-day trip to Boston, New York City and Washington, D.C. last week, capping it off by witnessing the presidential inauguration. Submitted photo

Students from Troup High School took an eight-day trip to Boston, New York City and Washington, D.C. last week, capping it off by witnessing the presidential inauguration. Submitted photo

 

A group of 15 AP history students from Troup High School capped off a whirlwind eight-day trip Friday by witnessing the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

 

“We were on the National Mall, so we were right there in the midst of it,” said Michelle Ashmore, the AP government and economics teacher at Troup.

 

The trip included stops in Boston and New York City before the students reached the nation’s capitol. They got up at 4:30 a.m. Friday to make it to all the festivities surrounding the inauguration.

 

“We got to see three different incredible cities and all the history and excitement,” Ashmore said. “Every city had its own hustle.”

 

The entire trip was an “awesome eight days,” she said. The students are sophomores and seniors.

 

“It was jam-packed, and we saw everything we could possibly see,” she said. “Everything we saw, the students were able to relate back to class.”

 

The students were in the best spot to witness the country’s patriotism and swearing in of the new president, she said, but it took some work. News reports about the lack of a crowd at the event were misleading.

 

“Security was amped up and there were a lot of people,” she said. “It was tough to get in.”
The group waited more than three hours at one check point and there wasn’t a lot of good signs to guide people where to go. They finally got to a gate all the way back at the Washington Monument, but were told if they found a closer gate, they’d have to go through another security point and all be checked again. Ashmore said the students didn’t hesitate and ran to a closer gate to get a better spot to see the ceremony.

 

The next morning, the students were still in Washington D.C. when crowds arrived for the Women’s March.

 

“It was neat for the students to see both events, then see the media’s coverage,” she said. “The kids were able to see that wasn’t the feeling at all.”

 

Ashmore took her students to Europe last year to visit World War II battle fronts and would like to take students on a trip at least every two years. She’s already planning for the next inauguration in four years.

 

The students were joined by a group from Coosa High School in Alabama and another Troup High School teacher, Kayla Yeargin.

 

“I’m thankful to the school administration for their support and allowing my students to see democracy in action,” Ashmore said.

SportsPlus

News

LaGrange signs resolution in support of Milton

News

West Point city clerk honored after 34 years of service at retirement

News

SMITH COLUMN: I’m Thankful

News

City of LaGrange Public Works Operations Director Bo Prather Honored for 25 Years of Dedicated Service

News

COLLINS COLUMN: Love, Not Politics, Defines Us

News

West Point mayor and businesses to pass out meals

News

Turkey Trot returns on Thursday

News

As prices go up, holiday meals get less expensive

News

GENDUSA COLUMN: Let’s Embrace the Joy of the Season

News

City of LaGrange Landscape Superintendent Fernando Vazquez Honored for 25 Years of Dedicated Service

News

WILLIAMS COLUMN: Blue State Policies = Green New Steal

News

LPD responds to two separate home shootings on Tuesday

News

Armed Robbery at Dollar General on Pyne Road

News

Hogansville receives Fox Theatre grant

News

LaGrange approves TAD that could bring new hotel to downtown area

News

Black Friday Safety: Keep yourself and your presents safe

News

YARBROUGH COLUMN: Being thankful for these weekly conversations

News

Troup NAACP provides turkeys to families for Thanksgiving

News

COLLINS COLUMN: Among Our Reasons to be Thankful, This One is Above Them All

News

THINC students participate in speed-dating style mock interviews

News

Chamber cuts ribbon on ELVTD Youth and Mentoring

News

WGTC Names Joe Pennington as 2024 Alumnus of the Year

Letters

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Grateful for the Hurricanes, Heart Attacks, and Heat

News

Habitat for Humanity opens doors to homeownership