The Class of 2009

Class Representatives

Thank You for the Memories!

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Memoirs from Washington D.C.

Friday May 22nd, 2009

Truly the day began when Mr. Burdick-Rutz received confirmation that the instruments and uniforms (that had shipped over a week ago via ground freight) had arrived to the hotel!  Joy.  Celebration. Wait.  Now we need to get the Band there to meet them!

After Gathering at Great Oak High School, The Chaperones and Students were handed their "I.D. Tags,"  and land- yards, and a sack dinner as they boarded the bus.  We soon learned that "throwing" our personal belongings under the bus (the status quo), wouldn't work this time around, as we had to account for instruments, luggage and carry-on's.  The Bus Drivers, and Chaperones went to work "packaging" the bus bays.

Travel to the Long Beach City Airport was remarkably easy.  The heavy weekend traffic was still commuting home, in the opposite direction.  We arrived at the Terminal no later than 6:30 PM.  "Be sure to unload EVERYTHING from underneath.  Somehow, we ended up with the bucket of bus cleaning materials too.  Oops.

The Blue group checked in first, followed by the Red group.  Each group made it through ID and Luggage Check within 20 Minutes (each).  John Rossi and Nancy Marshall were awesome in their organization getting the students to the counter and confirming names and luggage for each student.

The group continued their migration through security in their small groups.  The group leaders double checked along the way making sure students still had their boarding passes.  John Balland commented, "it's inevitable, someone will lose theirs."  The students proved him wrong, unless of course he was talking about hair loss.

With two hours to wait out before loading the students pulled out their decks of cards, iPods, portable gaming devices, cell phones and cameras and made the time go very fast.  At 8:45 PM, the two groups wished each other "safe travels," as the Blue Group began boarding, and the Red Group moved into another room as a part of their terminal.

Waiting at the Airport....

The Red Group Boarded the Jet Blue Plane with a blimp overhead wishing everyone a "Safe Memorial Weekend."  Mr. Burdick-Rutz noted the sky line in the distance as fading reds & purples beginning to mix with darkness.  The Jet Blue accomodations were wonderful with TV, Radio, Snacks, Beverages, and Sleeping Kits called "Lights Out".  We noted only a few of them willing to wear the blind folds.  We were welcomed to Washington Dulles International Airport at 5:15 AM Eastern Time.  Literally.  "Jet Blue would like to wish The Spirit of Great Oak Marching Band a great trip as they perform in the Memorial Day Parade."  They also commented how the students were well behaved.  As you would guess, some just couldn't sleep.

We rode a cool "Star Wars Tram,"  to the luggage claim.  Alyssa Tethal commented that "it feels like we're riding Star Tours at Disneyland."  Some of the students ventured to Starbucks, others into the Humid D.C. Air.  "I couldn't breath it was so thick," commented Andrew Bryant.  "Yah, me too - but the couple in front of me was smoking," said Bryan Menancio.

Now we await the Arrival of the Blue group.  The skyline?  Reds, & Purples mixing with the darkness of cloud cover and the fading night.  We've caught up to the Sun.

Saturday May 23^rd, 2009

The Blue Group has landed!  The students and chaperones were excited to greet the Blue group as they arrived at Luggage Claim.  Honestly, most blue group travelers were complaining of having “no feeling,” in their bodies.  While waiting for them to gather their wits, we moved outside into the humid Virginia Air to await the large travel coaches.

The coaches are quite spectacular, and the Drivers easily entertain the students with their sense of humor.  Bus One, the Red Group is traveling with Rodney and the Blue group with C.C.  Both Drive Buses that not only can play movies, but have access to the internet, local travel guides, and Satellite T.V!  We’re riding in comfort.  Most importantly, Air Conditioning.

 Starting our tour on the comfortable Coaches

The first stop was a familiar site to everyone, McDonalds.  The Chaperones were given $10 bills to distribute to each person in their group.  They all proceeded to select their favorite breakfast from McD’s.  A few chose the option of Subway.  Yup, for Breakfast.  Fortunately, JoAnn Larsen and Pam Rossi packed extra suitcases full of snacks including breakfast bars.

The next stop was an unplanned parallel (temporary park) near Capitol Hill.  Prior to parking the Students and Adults were awed by the amount of Architecture on both sides of them as well as the information that was coming from our tour guides.  The students had difficulty choosing which side of the Bus to take photos on.  Katie Nunley said it best, “Ahhh!  There's too much to look at.”  The Red and Blue Groups split up to help ease waiting in lines.  The sites that we saw included The National Botanical Gardens, our Nations Capitol (Visitors Center & Museum), The Supreme Court, and the Library of Congress.  We were all taken aback by the amount of history, displays, statues, and beautiful architecture.  Gaylon Holland and Mr. Burdick-Rutz agreed that it felt as if we simply didn’t have enough time in each location.

     Day One of Our Tour...Capitol Hill

From there the Chaperones and Students broke into Combo groups to eat lunch, with each participant given $10 bills.  Some chose to Eat Lunch at the Smithsonian’s Air & Space Museum or Museum of the American Indian.  Those that chose the latter were treated to menus from the Native American Cultures from particular regions.  Food, for example, from the Plains Indians, The Mesa, or South America.

 The Blue Group at the Capitol

The reality of being upright for 24 hours had already set in with most students and adults.  With full stomachs, A.C., and a comfortable place to sit, many began to question the sanity of continuing to push through a tour later that same evening at Mt. Vernon.  But first, we would check-in to our hotel, The Crystal City Marriott.  The adults wondered if the students would re-immerge from their rooms.  But, with dinner next on the agenda, it was inevitable they kept moving.  Many students who hadn’t seen their parents traveling separately from the group were now reuniting,  including Grandpa & Grandma Burdick joining our tour from Michigan. 

For Dinner we ate at Hamburger Hamlet in the Crystal City Shops.  The buses picked us up by the Hotel Lobby.  They drove us around the block, and dropped us off.  While we didn’t complain with the nice A.C., we were all wondering if we simply could have walked?  Dinner was pasta, and salad.  Right, not hamburgers.  Pasta.

Following dinner we loaded the buses and began our journey to Mt. Vernon, Virginia home of our first President, George Washington.  On the way we were treated to a wonderful driving (guided) tour of Old Town Alexandria, and the Episcopal Church attended by Washington & Jefferson.  There was, however, a bit more snoring on this tour.

The Back Porch of George & Martha Washington's Home

Mt. Vernon:  It was as if we had the park to ourselves.  We toured his mansion by lantern lit walkways, viewing rooms where he hosted dinner parties, and played chess with Thomas Jefferson, or where several guests stayed overnight (they hosted over 700 guests in the one year following his last term in office).  We saw the Bedroom of George & Martha, and the exact linens and covers he slept on (seriously).  It was truly a surreal moment.  Making the evening and history come to life even more so was the “Night at the Museum,” program in which several characters in George Washington’s life, came to life.  Actors told the stories of their relationship to George Washington and Mt. Vernon.  When entering the tour, the night watchman told us all that the evening tour had been canceled.  “I’m sorry for the confusion, but the museum is closing…but, since you are here and if you can keep a secret, I’d like to introduce you to some special people.”  Quite clever.

After touring the gift shops, food court, and Ice cream shop, we returned to the hotel.  Lights out was at 11:30 PM.  I’m sure you’re not surprised when I mention that many of the students were asleep before that time. 

Sunday May 24^th, 2009

A breakfast buffet of fruit, pastries, eggs, sausage, and an assortment of juices awaited everyone on the Mezzanine level of the hotel in Great Oak’s designated banquet room.  Many of the students were looking and feeling much more cheerful with rest and food.

Call time at the Buses:  8:45 AM.  We traveled to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Monument, skirting around traffic barriers already in place for the “Rolling Thunder,” parade.  Rolling Thunder is made of up of motorcyclists veterans and non-vets, with the goal to help raise awareness and funds for Vets still Missing in Action.  They paraded through the downtown on their motorcycles.  It truly sounded like “Rolling Thunder,” all day in D.C.

The students were excited to pose in front of “The Four Freedoms,” List at the end of the FDR Monument.  The monument was a favorite for many of the students and adults for this reason, and it’s Zen-like qualities.  Each phase of the monument had benches to rest in the shade.  Each phase also had running water from the heavy waterfalls symbolizing the crashing of the stock market (phase 1) to the stillness and slight trickle (sounding like the clip clop of horses pulling a caisson) in death. 

The Four Freedoms at the FDR Memorial

After a memorable visit there, we walked along one of the many reflecting ponds to the Jefferson Memorial.  There we learned about the 3^rd President of the United States, Philosopher, Statesman, Vintner, Author of the Declaration of Independence and Founder of the University of Virginia.

From the Jefferson Memorial we traveled back to the buses (many were scared by a catfish in the pond that jumped out of the water periodically as people pass by) to the “Souvenir City,” where special deals awaited everyone in their quest for the perfect gift for their family and friends. 

From Souvenir City, we went to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. to see the home of the President of the United States, Barak Obama and his Family.  For a home that we see so often, it was so wonderful to see it in person and see it in it's surroundings.  The media do such a good job as depicting it in the Countryside.  This couldn't be farther from the truth.  In front of the White House we met a woman, originally from Italy that has been "permanently protesting," for the past 28 years.  She has been protesting "nuclear weapons, war and proliferation."  It was an important lesson for the students (and adults) to see our democracy in action.

From there, the group continued their stop-n-go day of busing to the Old Post Office.  The renovated building now serves as a food court and shopping center.  But the popular attraction of the day was the clock tower.  Many of the students braved the glass elevator to the 10^th Floor high above the metal beams that once served as the frames for the pulley system that helped sort mail.  From there they traveled past the pulleys to the bells next to the second elevator that carried them to the top floor overlook.  There you can see, on a clear day, ten miles in all directions.

The long awaited “free time,” at the hotel arrived with some students opting to swim, others playing cards, and yet others taking naps.  No matter which they chose, all came down to the lobby at the 4 O’clock call time fresh and dressed up for the evening dinner & concert.  Little did we know it would be one of the most spectacular nights we've had on the trip.

Dinner was in Vienna, VA at Bertrucci’s Italian Restaurant.  The pleasant environment was as pleasant as the happy and hospitable staff (Pizza, Bread Rolls & Salad).  Mr. Burdick-Rutz felt inspired to to say a few words about our good fortune in getting two very good tour guides and two safety conscious and experienced bus drivers.  Everyone raised their glasses to the next phase of the trip in which we would all come to learn of the importance of our tribute to Veterans and “To the Spirit of Great Oak in Washington D.C.”

From Betrucci's, the drivers skirted around the heavy traffic associated with the Rolling Thunder in town, as well as the Washington Nationals Baseball Game.  We went on Side roads to The Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts.  We arrived to receive VIP Parking for the Buses.  Because of our Parking Location we were able to avoid the large crowds entering the beautiful wooden pavilion from the main entrance.  We used one of the side entrances and easily selected seats in the main auditorium.  With the Performance beginning at 8 PM, most students opted to sit & talk, others explored the concessions until 8 PM when the Concert featuring the President’s Own U.S. Marine Band Performed.  Nick Pirone commented that the sound was “C.D. Quality.”  Meghan Truax said, “The Music was amazing…”  Mr. Burdick-Rutz commented on the set-up of the group, the professional military uniform, and the selection of music including one piece The Spirit of Great Oak will perform in the Memorial Day Parade on Monday entitled “Chester,” a movement (III:  Freedom to Worship) from their Fall Show entitled the Four Freedoms (see the FDR Memorial earlier in the day).  The concert ended with two Patriotic Pieces:  “The Stars & Stripes Forever” (our National March), and a montage of the Military Hymns.  It was quite moving when the Audience paid tribute to the surviving Veterans of each military branch in the audience, particularly those from WWII.

     The President's Own U.S. Marine Band at Wolf Trap

At the conclusion of the Concert everyone went out to the meadow which sits adjacent from the Performing Arts Pavilion.  Once everyone was resting comfortably on the grassy hillside, the lights turned out and we were all treated to one of the most spectacular fireworks shows many of us have ever witnessed. 

The Show was accompanied by Music which began with Abba’s “Dancing Queen,” and music from the Opera “Carmina Burana.”  The Music montage was paying tribute to the summer line up of performances at Wolf Trap.  The show was spectacular!!

 Summer Kick-Off Fireworks Show

After sensory overload, the ensemble returned to the buses up a smoke filled hillside, and through the pavilion.  One comment: “It was as if we were walking through a smoke filled battlefield.” 

Fireworks over the Tree line.  Had the Californian's Worried about Fire.

The bus ride home soon quieted into anticipation of the day that would lead us to the Smithsonian Institute, the Memorial Day Parade, and visiting the War Memorials on the Mall.  It will be “A Day of Reflection,” for The Spirit of Great Oak.

Memorial Day, 2009

To say we were anticipating this day, is an understatement.   All of the Great Oak Students were ready to check in at the buses with their sack lunches, uniforms and instruments in tow.  The Drum Majors, Nick & Denise, went through the check list of items everyone needed once they were on the buses. 

We rolled out of the Hotel at 9:00 AM (despite the crowded elevators), and headed for the Smithsonian Institute.  Once we arrived, the positive karma of the trip continued with Parking Spots in front of the Museum for the American Indian, only a short distance from our staging area for the parade (in front of the Air & Space Museum).  After an overview of the options available to us from the tour guides, many chose to walk to the Natural History Museum, and the Museum of American History.  With only two hours to tour, we were all selective in the exhibits we hoped to see. 

Mr. Burdick-Rutz's Daughter Jane, Already "Hoping" for a Diamond

No matter which exhibits chosen (The Hope Diamond and the Giant Squid being the most popular), we all came to realize how much we take air conditioning for granted.  Meeting in front of the Air & Space Museum at noon was not an easy task, as we cut through the humidity to get there. 

We continued to wallow through the wet air (with clouds looming overhead) to meet our buses.  There the bus drivers had the A/C waiting for us as we sat quietly eating our lunch.  Then, the transformation began.

The uniforms were put on.  The instruments were unpacked, and put together.  The plumes were placed in the shakos.  The flags were firmly taped to the poles.  Students began to warm up their instruments.  Andrew & Cory decided to play their instruments on the Street Corner to see if they could earn a few extra bucks.  Cory thought “we earned enough money for lunch.”  Not bad in 20 minutes time (considering they don’t have to pay bills).

Street Musicians...

We lined up in pairs in front of the buses, and waved them off knowing we would meet again at the end of the parade.  We marched to the beat of Matt Craven’s bass drum to the staircase leading up to the front entrance of the Museum of the American Indian.  There we posed in front of the waterfall’s and natural flora.  While the cloud cover continued to build so to did our anticipation, and unfortunately, the humidity too. 

In Front of The Museum of the American Indian

We gathered in warm-up areas on the Mall.  We were definitely in one of the most amazing warm-up sites to date with the Spirit of Great Oak.  The Washington Monument on one side, and our Nation’s Capitol to the other.  While the groups warmed up separately the sounds of the multiple bands began to increase.  The hope, which never came to be, was that each State in the Union would have a representative in the Parade.  California did.  Leading that group were four young and energetic future Spirit Members, Tiana Saenz carrying the California flag, Ben & John Burdick-Rutz and Sarah Truax carrying the Spirit of Great Oak Banner.  All four were surrounded by their families making sure they were cool and heavily watered before the 2 mile march began .

                        Ben, John, Sarah, and Tiana

Those families, along with the chaperones who would be meeting us along the way were led by our guides to the National Archives to watch the parade.  While the Spirit Band & Guard continued to brave the stagnate humidity.  We lined up in our staging location.  We met a few of the Band members from around the country, and even had a “dance off” with one of them.  Nick Pirone and Denise Larsen met the Veteran positioned in front of us traveling on his Motorcycle (originally a part of the Rolling Thunder Parade a day earlier), representing the Veterans of Beirut.  He asked me, as an educator to make sure that I taught the students about the Attack on the American Embassy in Beirut as many of the students were not even yet born when it occurred.  I told him it would make it my obligation to do so.  He was grateful, and he was a treat to have with us (in front of our banner carriers) in the Parade.

The Parade began at 2 PM.  Many of the students were not even aware it had begun, because no one in front of us would move for another hour.  On the other side of the mall, however, many of the parade entries were moving.  Almost 150 entries were in the parade, with the Spirit of Great Oak as entry #119.  It was inevitable we would have to wait for the Parade to get moving.  At 2:58 the Drum Majors called the Band to Attention.  At 3:00 PM, they were called to Parade Rest and the National Moment of Silence began.  It was shortly after those moments the entries in front of us began to move.  Slowly we made our way in front of the Museums until we reached the Corner of 7^th Avenue.  There we turned toward Constitution, all the while greeting Museum goers, who were excited to take photos of the group from California.  Many of the comments that we heard along the way began to be heard: “wow, you’ve traveled a long way… Thank you for your efforts to get here.”

Heading up 7th St. to Constitution Ave.

Once the Parade began, no stopping was allowed, and no opportunity was given.  The Parade rolled quickly.  It was truly surreal marching on Constitution Ave. with so many people (2-3 rows deep), surrounded by amazing architecture.  By this time the much needed winds kicked in.  The Band Performed three tunes along the Parade route beginning with John Philip Sousa’s “The Washington Post March,” (which turned out to be the favorite to clap to along the parade route); “The Freedom to Worship," (excerpts from our show "The Four Freedoms," from the Fall); and a Medley of the Military Tunes entitled “Veterans Salute," (which was the most appreciated tune, especially by the Veterans).

It was wonderful to be greeted by so many friends, family members, and strangers with similar messages along the way:  “Yeah for California.”  “Go Great Oak.”  “We love California.”  “Thank you for coming so far for us.” 

As we approached the last block of the Parade (marching now in front of the Washington Memorial and soon the White House), we were greeted by a Parade Official that said everyone is going to pick up the pace so we can finish sooner, as “The Storm,” is coming in quick.  We picked up the pace.  Turned right at 17^th St. (remember we started on 7^th), and played all the way up to the City Fire Department trucks where they passed out water to us.  They also had a fun portable mister to walk through for those that braved the uncertainty.  With water bottles now in our hands they would come to symbolize the water that was about ready to fall from the sky.  As we split off into our newly divided gender segregated buses, the rain began to fall.  When we loaded the buses, the rain began to fall hard!  It was wonderful.  As if saying everything that we had worked so hard for over the last year and a half was being washed away into the past and our memories forever.  A job well done Spirit of Great Oak!

From there the buses took us further downtown to Harriet’s for dinner.  They weren’t prepared for our early arrival so many of us opted to go to the Navy Memorial across from the Old Post Office.  It was a pleasant walk in the rain (a nice way to cool off), and an opportunity to eat up time, before we ate up dinner.  Dinner consisted of everything wonderful after a parade.  Garlic bread.  Pasta.  Chicken. BBQ Ribs.  French Fries. Steamed Vegetables.  Chocolate cake for Dessert.  Stuffed!

                      World War II Memorial

We continued on our gender separated buses for the rest of the evening to visit the War memorials beginning the WWII Memorial.  Continuing on to the Vietnam Memorial.  Followed by the Lincoln Memorial, and concluding with the Korean War Memorial.  We learned so much along the way about each memorial.  The symbolism behind the Architecture.  We learned a lot about each other, as I watched several teenagers transformed into young adults reflecting on the courage and sacrifice of so many.  The evening was truly humbling.

The Burdick-Rutz Family @ The Lincoln Memorial 

May 26th, 2009

A Day of Transitions.  Mr. Burdick-Rutz was up at 4 AM (1 AM PST) to take his Family back to the Baltimore Airport for the their Departure.  He remembered first hand how driving conditions on the Eastern Seaboard can be white-knuckled with torrential down pours.  Combine those elements with driving in an unfamiliar City, it made for a stressful morning.  Fortunately, the stress would be replaced with anxiety of the trip ending, to the nervousness of "performing up to task," at Arlington National Cemetery.

Breakfast was served to us, with the same items available as the previous mornings.  Many of the students, were groggy from the previous night (it was their last night together after all - so many of them ordered take out and sat in their rooms and ate the night hours away).  Making their morning more blurred was the rush of getting their luggage and equipment down to the lobby and then loaded onto the buses in the rain.  It is amazing to see "Desert People," in the rain.  Many in the group simply didn't dress appropriately.

With everyone loaded and checked out of the hotel we proceeded to our first stop: The Pentagon.  Walking through the cool winds and rain was not pleasant, but a harsh reality sets in when you get to the memorial dedicated to 168 people that lost their lives in the Pentagon and those on the Jet Plane that crashed into it on September 11th, 2001.

The Entrance to the Pentagon Memorial

The rain continued as we walked back around the Pentagon and in through the tunnel that would lead to our buses.  From there we traveled to Arlington National Cemetery.  One can't help but feel numb from the numbers of gravestones of so many veterans dating back to the Civil War.  From the Welcome Center the group traveled up hill toward the mansion (Once the home of Robert E. Lee).   En Route we stopped at the gravesites of the Supreme Court Justices and at the Eternal Flame, the Grave site of John F. Kennedy (the only other President in Arlington is William H. Taft). 

The Eternal Flame & Resting Place of President John F. Kennedy

The students were able to learn and read about some of his most significant quotes during his Presidency.  Similarly, sitting adjacent on the same hillside is the grave site of his brother Robert F. Kennedy.  We continued uphill to see the grave sites of such folks as Joe Louis, and Audie Murphy, as well as monuments to the Space Shuttle Missions (The Challenger in 1988, and Columbia in 2003) and a tribute to the Marines that perished in their attempt to free the hostages in Iran in the late 1970's.  We also saw the Memorial to the USS Maine - the actual ships mast, with the crewman listed underneath.  While transitioning to the Tomb of the unknown soldier, we witnessed the most solemn of parades as we saw the Marine Marching Band Process with a horse drawn caisson, and a riderless Horse.

The Procession at Arlington...  

Those that were a part of the Wreath Dedication readied themselves for the event, and were introduced to one of the U.S. Army Personnel in Charge of Public Relations.  There we would undergo inspection to make sure that we were dressed suitably.  We were told to proceed to the top of the steps by the double doors overlooking the Tomb of the Unknown Solider.

After the Changing of the Guard took place, the Captain whom led that ceremony proceeded up the steps to speak with Mr. Burdick-Rutz and the three students.  It was wonderful to hear him speak so normal after listening to his precise militant style of commands while he changed the guard moments prior.  He explained the procedures of the wreath dedication to us, and asked if we had any questions.

Being the performers that we are, it was inevitable that we represented wonderfully.  There were many tears shed during and after that ceremony.  The wreath was beautiful, and appropriately decorated in our school colors.

Mr. Burdick-Rutz, Paul Rossi, Meghan Truax, Seth LaGrosa, and the Captain of the Changing of the Guard

As a surprise to Mr. Burdick-Rutz, the Drum Majors, Nick & Denise, had arranged with our tour guides to find a special place to present him with a gift from the students & parents.  The group was given permission to step into the Rotunda of the Arlington Memorial.  I'm thankful for everyone's generosity, and more so for the experiences that we were able to share together.

              Mr. Burdick-Rutz is Presented with a gift from Nick & Denise

After the emotional time at Arlington, most everyone was still very cold and wet.  We opted to drive around the Iwo Jima Memorial.  For most of us on the buses, it became our last photo opportunity of the Washington D.C. Skyline in the background.

 Iwo Jima as Seen from our Buses

We surprised the students by stopping off at the Rosselyn Subway Station.  It is the site of the largest escalator in the Western Hemisphere (third largest in the world). 

 The Escalator at Rosselyn Subway Station

The students were each given a ticket and entered the turn styles to go down the escalator to catch the next "blue line" sub to "Pentagon City."  Fortunately everyone got on and off at the correct time.  Whew! 

Riding the Blue Line...

Pentagon City is the site of a fabulous Multi-Story Mall & Food Court.  The students received their lunch stipend and had several options to choose from.  One group optioned to purchase an entire Pizza, and carried it around proudly.  Their eyes turned out to be bigger than their stomachs.  One hour later that same pizza would be going through the security system at Dulles International Airport.  We quipped that a few more times through the x-ray machine might reheat it just enough.

We all passed through security and back onto the "Star Wars Like" movers that took us to the appropriate terminal.  Once in the terminal the students spread out again shopping and eating still more food (how do they do that)?  After waiting only a short time, we were asked to board the plane for California.  The plane ride, you would think would be subdued and quiet.  It was more like a roller coaster with the group whooping and laughing in unison.  The energy was quite entertaining.  Over the Mid-West, people began to settle in and nod off.  It wasn't until we began making our final decent coming out of Arizona that the rukus atmosphere started up again.  Most everyone was watching the NBA Semi-Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic.  When the Jet Blue TV's went into silent mode (while taxiing across the tarmac), there were a few boos, as only a few minutes remained in the game. 

The students retrieved their luggage.  While others had to wait for some time before their luggage was finally brought to the baggage claim area.  An hour after landing and setting foot on the ground, we loaded the TVUSD school buses and headed for Temecula.  The chatter was softer as many nodded off, and others simply contemplated the whirlwind tour we all just experienced.  Similarly, the parents were as excited to wrap their arms around their kids in greeting us at Great Oak High School.  The whirlwind of students exiting the bus, and going home was surreal after being together for so many days.  Our trip had finally come to an end.  Mr. Burdick-Rutz noted, that it was another successful trip.  Why?  Everyone is safely home.  Simply put, our group had good karma.  Good things continuously happened to us on our most memorable trip. 

Mr. Burdick-Rutz noted as we flew into Long Beach, CA:  the sun was setting and the skies were turning from light blue to pink and purples, blending with darkness.  The sun had set peacefully on our trip.  It will be a memorial weekend in which we all remember the Spirit of Great Oak representing their State, traveling from "Sea to Shining Sea."

                                         THANK YOU FOR THE MEMORIES