DEC. 6 ISSUE ANSWERS: Ask any child or adult what they remember about their K-12 education and they are sure to share a story about some active experience they had with fellow classmates and many times some sort of a class fieldtrip or group activity. For sure it was something they enjoyed learning. This photo from June 6, 1927 is of a field study to Mount Vernon, President George Washington’s home. (The photo shows shorter hem lines, drop waisted flapper style dresses, low heeled, strapped Mary Jane style shoes, part of our Roaring Through the 20’s theme.) Many Romeo students have shared the highlights of their education. Judy Lopus tells of a train to Chicago, ship to Mackinaw and then down to Detroit going under the Mackinaw Bridge in 1957 while under construction. Or Fred Boike’s class, who boarded the S.S. South American, a two quad, cylinder steamship that was first powered by coal then converted to oil. Fred learned all about it while traveling with his class to Niagara Falls. He even saw the Fitzgerald on his travels. Or Vera’s trip, who in 1951 went with her class to Chicago which had reservations at the Palmer House. There were three African American students in the class and were promptly and despicably rejected because of their color.
The whole class rightly voted to refuse to stay there and found another place to stay. Vera saw this as a valuable life lesson and to this day is proud of her class’s decision. Fieldtrips often have unexpected springboards for even more learning. Gloria Billo tells of her class that went to see the opera “Amahl and the Night Visitors” which to this day has motivated her love of classical music. Or of Hope Beringer who in 1996 went to a re-enactment in Chicago of the United Nations representing Czechoslovakia. She recalls having to learn Robert’s Rules of Order, how to negotiate agreements, and how the United Nations operates. Whether it be learning to value qualities of a past President in 1927, learning about ships and their engines in the 40’s, in the 50’s to stand up for all men’s right to equality, or to become artistically aware about music, or in the 90’s to learn to make kind and fair agreements or even in 2023, fieldtrips spark new, real life, practical familiarity with our world and extend school into the community where connections are made. When one student makes progress we all benefit in a little better world. Hats off to the School systems that make learning practical!
—Joan Beringer,
Romeo Historical Society staff