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8th-Grade Tradition Continues: Hillside and Meads Mill Take on Washington, D.C.

ceremonial red and white flower wreath on a stand, featuring a custom ribbon that reads "Meads Mill Middle School."

The annual 8th-grade field trip to Washington, D.C. remains a milestone event for Northville Public Schools students, and the Class of 2026 kept the tradition alive with unforgettable visits to the nation’s capital. Both Hillside Middle School and Meads Mill Middle School students spent action-packed weeks transforming their history and civics curriculum into real-world experiences.

Students explored America's rich history and democratic foundations by visiting iconic locations across the city, including:

A Solemn Honor at Arlington National Cemetery

A particularly meaningful highlight of the trip took place at Arlington National Cemetery during the changing of the guard. In a solemn ceremony, eighth graders observed the strict protocol and deep respect dedicated to honoring fallen service members.

Representing the Meads Mill community with exceptional dignity, students Cole, Ryan, Eleanor, and Alia participated directly in the official laying of the Meads Mill Wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The students represented their school excellently during this historic, reverent tradition.

Building Lifelong Memories

Beyond the history lessons, the trip provided a unique opportunity for eighth graders to bond as a class before transitioning to high school next fall. Sporting matching class t-shirts, custom school hoodies, and colorful bucket hats, Northville’s students represented their community with pride, respect, and enthusiasm.

A huge thank you goes out to the staff members, parent chaperones, and coordinators who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure a safe, educational, and successful trip for all students!

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Three girls wearing bucket hats smile together on the steps of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington D.C.
A student poses next to an engraved quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. on the granite wall of his memorial.
Large group of Hillside 8th graders sitting on a stone wall in front of the towering Washington Monument under a bright blue sky.
Three students sit on a replica of the Lincoln Memorial chair in front of a cherry blossom backdrop and an Abraham Lincoln quote.
Students sit and stand along the edge of the fountain at the World War II Memorial, with the Pacific Arch in the background.
A group of students poses directly in front of the nose of the Space Shuttle Discovery at the National Air and Space Museum.
Six students stand together on the massive stone staircase leading up to the National Archives Building in Washington D.C.
Five girls stand in a hangar in front of the sleek, black SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft at the Udvar-Hazy Center.
Meads Mill students in matching 2026 DC trip shirts and pink bucket hats sit by the WWII Memorial fountain looking toward the Washington Monument.
Students sit arm-in-arm at night, looking at the glowing golden fountains of the World War II Memorial under a dark evening sky in Washington, D.C.
A group of middle school students poses in front of the massive bronze US Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima statue) on a sunny, clear day.
A guard stands at attention by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery next to a ceremonial school wreath.
A massive group photo of Meads Mill Middle School students gathered on the marble steps outside the U.S. Capitol building as parents take photos.
Students pose on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Boys sit in matching black tees and pink hats; girls stand behind them in navy USA hoodies.
Eleven middle school boys smile with arms around each other inside the Lincoln Memorial, with the statue of Abraham Lincoln directly behind them.

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Northville Public Schools