LMS students, chaperons take annual trip to Washington, D.C., New York

Times Square and a Broadway show were two of the exciting events Lampasas residents participated in on their trip to New York City.

The annual Washington, D.C. and New York trip by Lampasas Middle School students and chaperons was attended by a large group of students and adults, giving them the opportunity to visit places that many have only read about in history books.

The group flew out of Austin to Washington, D.C., where they met their guide, Brooks Breece.

The Lampasas contingency visited all of the noteworthy landmarks, monuments and memorials.

Katie Shaw, Mackenzie Martin, Zach Holcomb and Cody Carpenter presented a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, the site where unidentified soldiers, beginning from World War I, were laid to rest.

The group also toured Mount Vernon, home of George Washington, and had a tour of the National Cathedral, the National Archives, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial.

They visited the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, Natural History Museum and the Holocaust Museum.

Katie Shaw, left, Mackenzie Martin, Zach Holcomb and Cody Carpenter placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Washington, D.C.

The group also visited the U.S. Capitol Building where they were met by Texas Congressman Mike Conaway's staff. Conaway's district includes Lampasas.

While in New York, the group visited Rockefeller Center, Lincoln Center, Central Park, Planet Hollywood and topped everything off with a showing of the "Lion King" on Broadway.

Other stops included Battery Park, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

LMS teachers and event organizers Jan Vann (who was on her 14th tour) and Ann Conner said the group of students was very respectful and well-behaved.

"Many onlookers commented on how well our kids behaved," said Mrs. Vann. "That's a good reflection of our community and our school."

Those who made the trip included Amberleigh Stefano, Cheyenne Morrow, Breanna Kelley, Torri Carroll, Ashley Davis, Kathleen Stewart, Cara Nicoles, Mackenzie Martin, Zach Holcomb, Travis Bunting, Cody Corbin, Zac Dibble, Maddie Rogers, Joelle Ritz, Leyna Wittenburg, Brooklynn Dekort, Ian Connor, Tyler Jones, Jay Williams and Trevor Hamilton.

Zach Holcomb and his dad, LMS Assistant Princpipal Dana Holcomb, are shown in front of the nation's Capitol.

Also, Sarah Gonzales, Breanna Jones, Chelsea Smith, Jodi Atkinson, Kevin Perkins, Zach Adams, Katie Shaw, Carmen Gonzales, Megan Mason, Alexys Fleming, Cody Carpenter, Josh Kuehne, Morgan Tongish, Cabri Carpenter, Ashley Seale, Dani Sanchez, Layton Irvin, Lucas Atkinson, Ashton Holloman and Alex Lansford.

Chaperons included Dana Holcomb, Dwayne Jones, Heather Jones, Julie Carpenter, Barbara Adams, Mike Atkinson, Cindy Atkinson, Virginia Hamilton, Susan Carpenter, Lauren Lansford, Tracy Irvin, Anthony Smith, Wes Atkinson and Lisa Dibble.

Mount Vernon was one of the many photo stops by the Lampasas contingency. LMS teachers Ann Conner, left, and Jan Vann flank Cody Carpenter during a rest stop in Washington, D.C. Lucas Atkinson, left, Zach Holcomb, Layton Irvin, Josh Kuehne and Alex Lansford relax in Central Park in New York City.