This past weekend I took a trip to Washington D.C with my family for the Marine Corps Marathon Run. I arrived on Friday morning and instantly fell in love with the breezy 60° weather. I couldn’t help but fall in love with the beautiful sea of trees surrounding you with colors of golden brown, green, orange and radiant red.

   My first stop on my great adventure through D.C was, of course, the Washington Monument. Standing over 555 feet tall, I could definitely point out the monument from miles away. One of the coolest parts I think is when I stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial I could see the Washington Monument and the Capitol building perfectly aligned.

   Saturday followed the rest of journey through many museums such as the Holocaust Museum and the National Museum of American History. The Holocaust Museum was very impacting and interesting, I even got to see some of the real artifacts such as the clothing and personal belongings                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   of the Nazi camp prisoners. It was a very impacting and informing museum; it has now become a personal favorite of mine. The National Museum of American History was really cool too; everything that made America as it is today was there. Abe Lincoln’s top hat (which is not as tall as you think), the original red ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz and the original Kermit the Frog puppet from the Muppets were all displayed.

   Sunday wrapped up my exciting weekend in D.C as I got up bright and early to run the Marine Corps Marathon 10k run in honor of my dad, who was killed in action in Iraq in April, 2005. We ran with the team, Knights of Heroes which is a camp that takes place in Colorado every year for sons of fallen soldiers. The 10k was about 6.2 miles and the finish line ended at the Iwo Jima Memorial near Arlington Cemetery. Since it was also Halloween, I saw many unique costumes while running. I finished my 10k in a time of 1:07.14, and I have never been so proud.

   To finish up the afternoon my family and I took a stroll through Georgetown which is home to Georgetown University. I was especially happy because I got to eat at one of my favorite restaurants, Johnny Rockets, found only on the east coast. It was a good reward devouring my juicy hamburger after my run. My Halloween eve was spent though in airports and on planes then finally home sweet home.

Morgan Kainu

Alyssa Bickford, High Point Fellowship

   Seniors involved in Cool Week are giving up three days vacation (Feb. 2, 3, 4 are student holidays), but they don’t seem to mind.

   “The extra effort will be well worth the knowledge gained,” Shelby King, senior, said. It’s an incredible opportunity for seniors to learn more about the fields they are choosing to study in  college,” she said. Shelby has been assigned to Seton Hospital Brackenridge where she will be learning about imaging.

   Several seniors will be shadowing at schools throughout the district because they intend to pursue careers in education: Carina Kahler, Davis Elem., Lindsey Kimball, Grisham MS, and Matt Brock and Alyssia Brown to West View MS.

   Headed to JC Penney or Sports Clips at Lakeline Mall are cosmetology students Javona Cheairs, Joanna Reyes, Jordan VanHorn and Jessica Parsons.

   Both students and the transition coordinator, Sandra MacLachan, worked to secure job sites for students’ placement. In additions, seniors missing class work on Thursday and Friday will be given credit for the work they did on their presentations.

   Brandon Hipps, third year photography student, will work all week with  professional photographer, Michael Harmon, owner of Akasha Studios. Shelby Roffman, who also has an interest in photography, will spend her time at the Hill Country News.

   “I am really excited about getting to work with Michael Harmon learning studio and portrait lighting,” said Hipps.