Light In The Darkness

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.”

John 1:5

Our day started at the Ford Theatre where President Abraham Lincoln had been assassinated. Both the students and chaperones were surprised by how much they enjoyed their time there. We had a highly knowledgeable and entertaining park ranger who treated us to retelling the story and aftermath of Lincoln’s death in a way that felt like a performance, highlighting the history, drama, and surprising details of how Lincoln’s death effected all those involved. The ranger finished by encouraging our students to be lights of their generation, shining in the darkest hours.

Following our time in the theatre, we crossed the street to see the museum, where a spectacular three-story tower of books greeted us. It was amazing to think that many books had been written about Abraham Lincoln, but it really only contained less than half the books written about him.

Leaving the museum, we stopped for an open-air lunch where the students enjoyed spending time together. It’s amazing to see our children still entertained by simple things in life like looking for a four-leaf clover. The day had been mostly overcast up until this point, but after a few raindrops fell, we left the green space with the sun shining.

Then we walked to the recently opened National Museum of African American History, which was new to all of us. Reading and listening to the stories told throughout the museum of horrible atrocities of slavery, segregation, and oppression led to some profound questions and discussions. It’s one thing to read about this subject and another thing to hear first-hand accounts.

We began three levels down, in a dimly lit area, and as we moved up through history, the museum became a bright celebration of culture and achievement, literally moving from darkness into light.

We can’t wait for what our last day in D.C. will hold!

 

by parent bloggers, Chris Lemieux and AnnMarie Hoyt

Beauty, Structure, and Function

We started our day bright and early, not knowing what to expect.

We would never have anticipated that the actual structures built to house our government would be so thoughtfully planned. Those who built our government intentionally incorporated so many symbolic, artistic, yet functional components.

In the rotunda of the Capital Building, the story of our nation is told through art. Given its beauty, it’s hard to believe that so many people actually go to work there. Laws are still being passed, and in fact, the Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, walked through the room during our tour. Another group saw news crews prepping for interviews with lawmakers.

The Library of Congress is certainly one of the most beautiful buildings we had seen.   The art was absolutely stunning and the architecture and mosaics had an absolute wow factor. We are still in awe of it. It seems almost odd to think that it is still a functioning library, with over 20 reading rooms. In fact, Mrs. Brodrecht went to get a Library of Congress library card while we were there, and we later found out that one of our chaperones already had one.

The Supreme Court building was filled with symbolism, including a depiction of Moses. Students were able to enter the courtroom where cases have been heard since the 1930’s. We were surprised to see how small the actual courtroom is in relation to the grandeur of the building.

We ended our day at the National Archives. This building houses some of the most important documents ever written. Students were excited to view the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. They saw the Emancipation Proclamation and also the Magna Carta, which even though it was written in the 1500’s is still relevant and important today.

Thanks to what they had learned at Geneva in fourth, fifth, and sixth grade, our students already understood the context and significance of the documents and were happy to see the real deal.

It was a great day.

15,000 Steps

It all started bright and early at Orlando International Airport with 65 excited students, chaperones, and teachers.

Friends were excited to find out who was in their group for the week. Parents said their goodbyes. Teachers did a little last minute boarding pass shuffling to make sure students were all seated together. Flight attendants did their best to fit all of our carry-ons into the overhead bins.

Once we arrived at our destination, we realized that the teachers hadn’t been exaggerating when they’d said there would be a lot of walking.

After navigating the METRO, we walked to our hotel to drop off our bags. Then we headed in the direction of the National Mall and walked around the Washington Monument. We went to the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial, then stopped by the Lincoln Memorial, made our way by the Vietnam Memorial, and finished at the World War II Memorial.

The springtime weather was beautiful and perfect for a day of walking. Flowers were in bloom. Dandelions dotted the lawn, and dried cherry blossoms were on the pathways throughout the memorials. Students enjoyed their time moving between the memorials laughing, playing games, taking pictures, and spending time together with friends.

We ended our day quietly, settling into our hotel, with everyone looking forward to tomorrow. It was a great first day in D.C!

The Geneva School
The Geneva School
December 11, 2024
  • Chamber Orchestra

    Date: December 11, 2024 - December 11, 2024
    Time: 7:15 am- 8:15 am
    See more details

  • 4th Grade Moms Coffee

    Date: December 11, 2024 - December 11, 2024
    Time: 8:15 am- 10:00 am
    See more details

  • Lower School Chapel

    Date: December 11, 2024 - December 11, 2024
    Time: 8:30 am- 8:55 am
    See more details

  • Upper School Chapel

    Date: December 11, 2024 - December 11, 2024
    Time: 9:25 am- 10:10 am
    See more details

  • Brioso Choir

    Date: December 11, 2024 - December 11, 2024
    Time: 3:15 pm- 4:15 pm
    See more details

  • Stitch Lab

    Date: December 11, 2024 - December 11, 2024
    Time: 3:20 pm- 4:20 pm
    See more details

  • Typing Class

    Date: December 11, 2024 - December 11, 2024
    Time: 3:20 pm- 4:20 pm
    See more details

December 12, 2024
  • 1st Gr - Madeline Parade

    Date: December 12, 2024 - December 12, 2024
    Time: 8:30 am- 8:45 am
    See more details

  • 6th Gr - Ceremony of 12

    Date: December 12, 2024 - December 12, 2024
    Time: 9:15 am- 11:00 am
    See more details

  • Fun with Food

    Date: December 12, 2024 - December 12, 2024
    Time: 3:20 pm- 4:20 pm
    See more details

  • Philharmonia Orchestra

    Date: December 12, 2024 - December 12, 2024
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • Varsity Girls Soccer Home Game vs ICS

    Date: December 12, 2024 - December 12, 2024
    Time: 4:30 pm- 6:30 pm
    See more details

  • JV Boys Basketball Home Game vs Calvary Christian

    Date: December 12, 2024 - December 12, 2024
    Time: 5:30 pm- 6:30 pm
    See more details

  • Varsity Boys Home Soccer Game vs. TCD

    Date: December 12, 2024 - December 12, 2024
    Time: 6:30 pm- 8:30 pm
    See more details

  • Merely Players Present The Holly & the Ivy: An O. Henry Christmas

    Date: December 12, 2024 - December 12, 2024
    Time: 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm
    See more details

  • Varsity Boys Basketball Home Game vs Calvary Christian

    Date: December 12, 2024 - December 12, 2024
    Time: 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm
    See more details

December 13, 2024
  • 4th Gr - Medieval Times

    Date: December 13, 2024 - December 13, 2024
    Time: 8:00 am- 2:50 pm
    See more details

  • Dialectic Pancake Breakfast - Flex Time

    Date: December 13, 2024 - December 13, 2024
    Time: 8:00 am- 9:20 am
    See more details

  • Rhetoric Mr. Christmas Pageant

    Date: December 13, 2024 - December 13, 2024
    Time: 8:25 am- 9:20 am
    See more details

  • MS Girls Basketball Home Game vs First Academy Leesburg

    Date: December 13, 2024 - December 13, 2024
    Time: 4:30 pm- 5:30 pm
    See more details

  • Kids Night In (Choir Fundraiser)

    Date: December 13, 2024 - December 13, 2024
    Time: 5:00 pm- 9:00 pm
    See more details

  • MS Boys Basketball Home Game vs First Academy Leesburg

    Date: December 13, 2024 - December 13, 2024
    Time: 5:30 pm- 6:30 pm
    See more details

  • Girls Varsity Basketball Home Game vs First Academy Leesburg

    Date: December 13, 2024 - December 13, 2024
    Time: 6:30 pm- 7:30 pm
    See more details

  • Merely Players Present The Holly & the Ivy: An O. Henry Christmas

    Date: December 13, 2024 - December 13, 2024
    Time: 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm
    See more details

  • Varsity Boys Soccer Away Game vs. Foundation

    Date: December 13, 2024 - December 13, 2024
    Time: 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm
    See more details

December 14, 2024
  • ISEE Testing

    Date: December 14, 2024 - December 14, 2024
    Time: 9:00 am- 1:00 pm
    See more details

  • MS Boys Basketball Home Game vs Trinity Christian

    Date: December 14, 2024 - December 14, 2024
    Time: 11:00 am- 12:00 pm
    See more details

  • JV Boys Basketball Home Game vs Trinity Christian

    Date: December 14, 2024 - December 14, 2024
    Time: 12:30 pm- 1:30 pm
    See more details

  • Merely Players Present The Holly & the Ivy: An O. Henry Christmas

    Date: December 14, 2024 - December 14, 2024
    Time: 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm
    See more details

  • Girls Varsity Basketball Home Game vs Trinity Christian Deltona

    Date: December 14, 2024 - December 14, 2024
    Time: 2:00 pm- 3:00 pm
    See more details

  • Varsity Boys Basketball Home Game vs Trinity Christian

    Date: December 14, 2024 - December 14, 2024
    Time: 3:30 pm- 5:30 pm
    See more details

  • 11th Gr - Parents Knight Out

    Date: December 14, 2024 - December 14, 2024
    Time: 6:00 pm- 9:00 pm
    See more details

  • Merely Players Present The Holly & the Ivy: An O. Henry Christmas

    Date: December 14, 2024 - December 14, 2024
    Time: 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm
    See more details

December 11, 2024
  • Chamber Orchestra

    Date: December 11, 2024 - December 11, 2024
    Time: 7:15 am- 8:15 am
    See more details

  • 4th Grade Moms Coffee

    Date: December 11, 2024 - December 11, 2024
    Time: 8:15 am- 10:00 am
    See more details

  • Lower School Chapel

    Date: December 11, 2024 - December 11, 2024
    Time: 8:30 am- 8:55 am
    See more details

  • Upper School Chapel

    Date: December 11, 2024 - December 11, 2024
    Time: 9:25 am- 10:10 am
    See more details

  • Brioso Choir

    Date: December 11, 2024 - December 11, 2024
    Time: 3:15 pm- 4:15 pm
    See more details

  • Stitch Lab

    Date: December 11, 2024 - December 11, 2024
    Time: 3:20 pm- 4:20 pm
    See more details

  • Typing Class

    Date: December 11, 2024 - December 11, 2024
    Time: 3:20 pm- 4:20 pm
    See more details

December 12, 2024
  • 1st Gr - Madeline Parade

    Date: December 12, 2024 - December 12, 2024
    Time: 8:30 am- 8:45 am
    See more details

  • 6th Gr - Ceremony of 12

    Date: December 12, 2024 - December 12, 2024
    Time: 9:15 am- 11:00 am
    See more details

  • Fun with Food

    Date: December 12, 2024 - December 12, 2024
    Time: 3:20 pm- 4:20 pm
    See more details

  • Philharmonia Orchestra

    Date: December 12, 2024 - December 12, 2024
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • Varsity Girls Soccer Home Game vs ICS

    Date: December 12, 2024 - December 12, 2024
    Time: 4:30 pm- 6:30 pm
    See more details

  • JV Boys Basketball Home Game vs Calvary Christian

    Date: December 12, 2024 - December 12, 2024
    Time: 5:30 pm- 6:30 pm
    See more details

  • Varsity Boys Home Soccer Game vs. TCD

    Date: December 12, 2024 - December 12, 2024
    Time: 6:30 pm- 8:30 pm
    See more details

  • Merely Players Present The Holly & the Ivy: An O. Henry Christmas

    Date: December 12, 2024 - December 12, 2024
    Time: 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm
    See more details

  • Varsity Boys Basketball Home Game vs Calvary Christian

    Date: December 12, 2024 - December 12, 2024
    Time: 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm
    See more details

December 13, 2024
  • 4th Gr - Medieval Times

    Date: December 13, 2024 - December 13, 2024
    Time: 8:00 am- 2:50 pm
    See more details

  • Dialectic Pancake Breakfast - Flex Time

    Date: December 13, 2024 - December 13, 2024
    Time: 8:00 am- 9:20 am
    See more details

  • Rhetoric Mr. Christmas Pageant

    Date: December 13, 2024 - December 13, 2024
    Time: 8:25 am- 9:20 am
    See more details

  • MS Girls Basketball Home Game vs First Academy Leesburg

    Date: December 13, 2024 - December 13, 2024
    Time: 4:30 pm- 5:30 pm
    See more details

  • Kids Night In (Choir Fundraiser)

    Date: December 13, 2024 - December 13, 2024
    Time: 5:00 pm- 9:00 pm
    See more details

  • MS Boys Basketball Home Game vs First Academy Leesburg

    Date: December 13, 2024 - December 13, 2024
    Time: 5:30 pm- 6:30 pm
    See more details

  • Girls Varsity Basketball Home Game vs First Academy Leesburg

    Date: December 13, 2024 - December 13, 2024
    Time: 6:30 pm- 7:30 pm
    See more details

  • Merely Players Present The Holly & the Ivy: An O. Henry Christmas

    Date: December 13, 2024 - December 13, 2024
    Time: 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm
    See more details

  • Varsity Boys Soccer Away Game vs. Foundation

    Date: December 13, 2024 - December 13, 2024
    Time: 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm
    See more details

December 14, 2024
  • ISEE Testing

    Date: December 14, 2024 - December 14, 2024
    Time: 9:00 am- 1:00 pm
    See more details

  • MS Boys Basketball Home Game vs Trinity Christian

    Date: December 14, 2024 - December 14, 2024
    Time: 11:00 am- 12:00 pm
    See more details

  • JV Boys Basketball Home Game vs Trinity Christian

    Date: December 14, 2024 - December 14, 2024
    Time: 12:30 pm- 1:30 pm
    See more details

  • Merely Players Present The Holly & the Ivy: An O. Henry Christmas

    Date: December 14, 2024 - December 14, 2024
    Time: 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm
    See more details

  • Girls Varsity Basketball Home Game vs Trinity Christian Deltona

    Date: December 14, 2024 - December 14, 2024
    Time: 2:00 pm- 3:00 pm
    See more details

  • Varsity Boys Basketball Home Game vs Trinity Christian

    Date: December 14, 2024 - December 14, 2024
    Time: 3:30 pm- 5:30 pm
    See more details

  • 11th Gr - Parents Knight Out

    Date: December 14, 2024 - December 14, 2024
    Time: 6:00 pm- 9:00 pm
    See more details

  • Merely Players Present The Holly & the Ivy: An O. Henry Christmas

    Date: December 14, 2024 - December 14, 2024
    Time: 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm
    See more details

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