Why I’m Asking for Your Support
I’ve been an educator for more than twenty years. This is my calling, and I have believed deeply in my students and hoped that the seeds I was planting would someday take root.
In the last three years, serving as both a teacher and director at an all-boys military middle school, I have never felt more called, more passionate, or more certain that what we are doing is truly changing young lives.
Our boys come to us from a variety of backgrounds and situations and all have worked hard to get to this milestone.
This Washington, DC trip is more than an academic requirement. It is a marker of camaraderie and accomplishment. It says to our students: You made it. You matter. You are worthy of standing where history was made- of standing on the shoulders of giants.
My hope in asking for support is simple—that every one of our eighth graders can share in this experience, regardless of financial hardship.
Help us get them over the finish line!
Every spring, eighth graders across the nation travel to Washington, D.C. to walk the grounds of American history—to stand at memorials, visit museums, and bring their studies to life.
This year, we are asking for your help to ensure every Fishburne Middle School (FMS) 8th grade student can take part in this meaningful experience, regardless of financial circumstances. We are a non-profit and your donation is tax deductible.
About the Trip
Our overnight Washington, D.C. trip is the culmination of three years of American History studies (6th–8th grade) and has been thoughtfully designed to be immersive, educational, and deeply impactful.
Trip cost: $280 per student
Students: 18 eighth graders
Total needed: $5,040
This cost includes:
Transportation to and from Washington, D.C.
One night hotel stay
Meals
Guided memorial tours led by our history teacher
Visits to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and the National Museum of Natural History
Dinner near Ford’s Theatre
A guided tour of Ford’s Theatre and attendance at 1776: The Musical
A Potomac River boat tour to Mount Vernon
Tour of George Washington’s home and estate
Return by boat and travel home
Why This Matters
Many of our students come from economically challenged backgrounds and without help will not be able to join their peers.
Our boy-centered middle school program—designed around structure, movement, mentorship, and relationship-driven learning—has helped our students thrive academically and personally. Students who once struggled are now engaged, confident, and succeeding.
This trip is not just a reward—it is a transformational learning experience:
History becomes real when students stand where it happened.
Lessons come alive when students see, touch, and reflect.
Shared experiences build confidence, belonging, and pride.
Our Hope
It is our heartfelt hope that no student is excluded from this milestone experience due to finances. Every eighth grader deserves to close their middle school journey with this shared memory—one that honors their growth, perseverance, and success.
How You Can Help
Your donation—large or small—directly supports student access to this once-in-a-lifetime educational experience. Every contribution brings us closer to ensuring that all 18 students can attend.
Thank you for believing in our boys, in education, and in the power of history to shape young lives.
With gratitude,
Christianna Herrera
Fishburne Middle School Teacher and Director