In preparation for the annual eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C., Pryor Middle School students gathered in the gym for a Patriotism Assembly focused on service, citizenship, and the meaning behind the historic sites they will soon visit.
Students heard from Pryor graduate and Marine Kevin Lanham, who shared reflections from his military service and travels to 13 countries. Lanham told students that each time he returned home, he was reminded of how grateful he was to live in the United States.
Lanham also encouraged students to think about the history represented in the nation’s capital and the foundations of American patriotism, including respect for others.
“You treat others with decency even when you disagree with them,” Lanham told students. “When you find something you disagree with, vote. That’s how this country works.”
During the assembly, students also learned which eighth-grade essayists had been selected for the honor of participating in wreath-laying ceremonies during the Washington, D.C. trip.
To be considered, students were required to write an original 500-word essay choosing one of four available topics: Honor and Sacrifice, Civic Responsibility, Historical Reflection, or Personal Reflection. Essays had to be the student’s original work; the use of AI resulted in automatic disqualification.
The students chosen to lay the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier:
Aidan Epps
Hope Rehbein
Hallie Keirsey
Cooper Martin
The students chosen to lay the wreath at the Mount Vernon tomb of George Washington:
Raiff Matheson
Cole Holliday
Trigger Grossman
Damien Summers
Tori Helmuth
Emma Vance
Jansyn Kester
Jaycee Scraper
As they prepare to visit the nation’s capital, these students are carrying with them a deeper understanding of service, sacrifice, citizenship, and the responsibility that comes with being part of a democracy.