The 8th-grade class recently completed a memorable field trip to New York City, focusing on two of the nation's most historic landmarks: the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The students took a scenic ferry ride across the harbor, getting an up-close look at the Statue of Liberty, a powerful symbol of freedom and democracy they had studied in class. At Ellis Island, they walked through the former immigration station, an experience that brought the history of American immigration to life. Exploring the museum exhibits helped them understand the difficult, yet hopeful, journey taken by the millions of people who passed through this "Golden Door" to become part of the American story.