102 members of the Bolivar High School Class of 2026 carried on a beloved community tradition, embarking on the 74th annual Senior Trip—a comprehensive educational tour of the Eastern United States. Accompanied by 10 faculty and administrative sponsors, the group traveled by charter bus to explore the nation’s most iconic landmarks, spanning from the aviation hubs of Ohio to the hallowed grounds of Washington, D.C.

The journey began in the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 18, as the buses left Bolivar High School. The first stop of the trip was the National Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio. Students explored aircraft from all eras, including several former Air Force One planes. From there, the "Liberator" spirit headed east for a fast-paced exploration of American culture and history.

In New York City, the trip became a living classroom. After a ferry ride from Staten Island into Lower Manhattan, students took a walking tour of Wall Street and the 9/11 Memorial before ascending One World Trade Center. For Daniel Bayless, BHS English teacher and trip co-chair, the observation deck provided a unique connection to the curriculum.

"Everywhere we go on this trip, I see things we talk about and study in my class because English III relies heavily on American Literature," said Bayless. "One of my favorite parts is on the observation deck of the Freedom Tower. The kids are constantly coming up and asking me, 'Where are the eggs?' or 'Where is the valley of ashes?' These are all references to The Great Gatsby, and I could not be prouder to show them where these things would have been."

Students also spent an afternoon in Central Park and the evening exploring Times Square.

Then, the tour moved through the foundational sites of the American Revolution and the Civil War. In Philadelphia, the group ran the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, made famous in the film Rocky. Students were able to tour Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and get up close to the Liberty Bell. That afternoon, the group had a guided tour of the Gettysburg battlefield.

The stay in Washington, D.C., was marked by a rare and prestigious opportunity. In addition to seeing the White House, the Capitol Building, and visiting the Smithsonian Museums, Bolivar students visited Arlington National Cemetery, where they were granted the honor of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

"I have loved learning how this trip has been a Bolivar tradition, and being part of helping to put the trip on has been such a privilege," said Alicia Wollard, BHS English teacher and trip co-chair. "There is so much knowledge and respect for our country in going to visit places like Gettysburg, Monticello, and Mt. Vernon."

The D.C. experience balanced solemnity with celebration, featuring a pizza dinner on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol and a visit to George Washington’s Mount Vernon. The students celebrated their final night in the capital with a dinner-and-dance cruise along the Potomac River.

"The trip makes your heart melt when you see a group of seniors who are not all in the same friend circle come together and enjoy each other—it is priceless," Wollard added. "I feel like the kids who go on this trip are united in a way with memories that will last forever."

The tour concluded with a stop at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello before the group headed back to Bolivar.

Bolivar High School wants to thank Bolivar Dancing with the Stars and our community for their donations, which help provide this incredible educational opportunity for our students.