Dropping the Textbooks: How 8th Graders from Minnesota Connected with WWI in Washington, D.C.
Published: 1 December 2025
By Kyle Schenkelberg and Nathan Dapper
Special to the Doughboy Foundation website
Dougboys Article _page2_image1
Students from the Prior Lake-Savage Area Schoolsin Minnesota mimic each individual figure in the "A Soldier's Journey" sculpture at the National World War I Memorial in Washington, DC.
Since the 1980’s Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, which is located in Minnesota, has been bringing groups of 8th graders to Washington D.C. in the fall. For the past two years, the group has visited the National World War I Memorial at Pershing Park.
The students spent a long time in front of the colossal bronze bas-relief, “A Soldier’s Journey.” Our course leader from WorldStrides, Lynsey, had the students model after the bas-relief. After a few tries, and lots of directions, the students were able to mimic each individual soldier as they are depicted in the relief. A great example of bringing history to life!
Next, the group gathered at the center of the plaza, over the huge, beautiful bronze replica of the WWI Victory Medal embedded in the floor. The WorldStrides course leader, Marshall, encouraged the students to step into the middle of the circle. The course leader explained that if they stood right in the middle of that circle and clapped, whispered, or even just saying their names, there is an intense, immediate echo effect that only the person standing in the center can clearly hear. At first, the students were hesitant to step into the middle of the circle with such a large group surrounding them. However, after one brave individual volunteered to go first, the students were able to find out about the fantastic acoustic secret the circle hid. The students were utterly surprised!
We talked about what those echoes might be: the cheers of returning veterans, the silence of loss, the continuous resonance of their legacy. For our Prior Lake Savage students, the memorial wasn’t just names and dates. The 8th grade students left D.C. not just with souvenirs, but with powerful, personal connections to the brave Americans of World War I.
This has become a must-stop destination for the Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools’ annual Washington D.C. trip. The group is excited to go back next year and use the various interactive activities that the Doughboy Foundation has created to help bring the memorial to life!
External Web Site Notice: This page contains information directly presented from an external source. The terms and conditions of this page may not be the same as those of this website. Click here to read the full disclaimer notice for external web sites. Thank you.
