CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Voices of Freedom students from Pickaway-Ross Career &
Technology Center honor veterans and study American history inside and outside the
classroom.
At the conclusion of the school year, six students — Makenzie Hoffman, Laila Hoffman,
Adreannalyn Payne, Abigail Palumbo, Austin Bartchy, and Paisley Welsh — traveled to
Washington, D.C., with instructor Ms. McCaulla and Ms. Widdig as part of the program’s
annual trip connected to the Library of Congress Veterans History Project.
Throughout the school year, Voices of Freedom students interviewed 41 veterans,
documenting their military service and individual stories through recorded oral histories.
During their visit to the nation’s capital, they submitted 37 completed interviews to the
Library of Congress, helping preserve these stories as part of the national historical
archive. Students also received a private tour of the Library of Congress after their
presentation.
The trip included a full schedule of educational and memorial visits intended to deepen
students’ understanding of American history and service. Stops included Union Station,
the U.S. Capitol, the National Archives, and the Smithsonian National Museum of
Natural History, along with tours across the city.
Students visited the Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, Vietnam Veterans
Memorial, Vietnam Women’s Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Veterans
Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and
Jefferson Memorial. At Arlington National Cemetery, the group participated in a wreath-
laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, paying tribute to service members
whose identities are unknown, but whose sacrifice is not forgotten.
At the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, students took part in a guided remembrance activity in
which they were given photos and details about individuals who died in the attacks.
Each student located the corresponding memorial bench and placed flowers in honor of
those lives. The activity was designed to help students connect personally with the
individuals being remembered.
Additional visits included the Air Force Memorial, the Marine Corps War Memorial,
several Smithsonian museums, and the National Archives.
For Voices of Freedom students, the annual trip culminates months of research,
interviewing, and reflection. It provides hands-on opportunities to explore history while
strengthening the importance of service, remembrance, and civic responsibility. By
preserving veterans’ stories and visiting historic sites, students gain a stronger
appreciation for the individuals whose sacrifices have built the nation.
