People can help students from Aberdeen, Hoquiam and Montesano get a once-in-a-lifetime school trip to Washington, D.C.

Students such as Montesano’s Cadence White are eager to head to the nation’s capital in order to see many of the historical sites, including the Smithsonian Museums, Marine Corps War Memorial, the Holocaust Memorial Museum, the U.S. Capitol tour, the Washington Monument, Gettysburg National Memorial Park, and more.

The trip is scheduled for July 2026. The only glitch is the five-day educational trip has a bit of a price tag — $4,400. The good news for Cadence and many of his classmates is they signed up early and received a $500 discount, so he needs $3,900.

In the invitation Montesano Jr./Sr. High School sent to parents, the school maintained it’ll be a “fun, safe, and well-organized educational experience.”

Hear from his mom, Sarah White, what this trip means to Cadence.

“Cadence is excited to go to Washington, D.C. with his school because he gets to experience history that he’s learned about in junior high U.S. History classes in real life,” Sarah said. “He is also excited to be able to do, go, be and experience this with his fellow classmates and teachers. He’s looking forward to creating memories he will have for the rest of his life.”

Cadence is apparently a big history buff, too.

“Cadence is super interested in this trip because he definitely enjoys history,” Sarah said. “He’s gotten into history more the last two years in junior high.”

Sarah is convinced the trip will do more than provide a tour of historic sites.

“He will learn real life tools like checking in and out of the airport, money management for extra wants during the trip, such as snacks and memorabilia, etc. …” Sarah said. “This trip gives him more independence and self-confidence as it will be his first trip without his parents.”

And as Sarah pointed out, it’s not just for Cadence, it’s for other students and parents.

Lasting memories

Ashley Robbins remembers her trip to Washington, D.C., from when she was an Aberdeen student. It doesn’t sound like she’ll forget it anytime soon.

“Being able to experience a trip like that in middle school was super neat,” Robbins said. “With a group of great friends and memories, it made it a trip of a lifetime. I hope my kids one day will be able to take the same trip.”

Robbins listed The White House, Ford’s Theatre and the Arlington Cemetery as places that stick out from her trip.

“Especially the changing of the guard (at Arlington National Cemetery),” Robbins said. “We were lucky enough to witness that. The silence was loud and respectful.”

Robbins loved that the trip gave her the chance to explore the historic sites and find out why they’re important outside the classroom.

“Just seeing and learning about our country on a hands-on way is just different than reading about it in the history books,” Robbins said. “I personally felt like I took in more seeing it in person. There is so much history in that area of our county and it’s beautiful.”

What’s included?

According to the invitation, here are several pieces included in the total price:

• 100-day money back guarantee

• 24-7 VIP tour directors

• All transportation

• Hotel stay during the trip

• All meals — breakfast, lunch and dinner

• All admission fees for the tours

Donate to the fundraiser

To donate, search https://tinyurl.com/447kj868, which will take you to the site “World Classrooms.” 100% of each donation goes directly to the student. To have it go to a specific student, you must have their first and last name and the school they attend.

And think, the help is for a student who sounds selfless. There are more students throughout the area who are just like Cadence.

“Cadence demonstrates that he cares about his school and community by volunteering for the Montesano Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization events, such as the family fun nights sponsored by the PTO, by helping set up the event,” Sarah said. “Cadence also participates in band at Montesano Junior High. He is a kind-hearted student who will notice if a friend or acquaintance at school is having a hard time and will talk with them or come home and mention it to me and ask how he can help them feel better.”

Contact Reporter Matthew N. Wells at matthew.wells@thedailyworld.com.