It was a day where history met hands-on interaction as the school’s junior class played various characters to tell the story of the early beginnings that led to America’s independence, which will celebrate 250 years on July 4. Four tents accompanied the telling trek.  

The students first entered through the check-in tent which marked the start of their journey through the city of Philadelphia during the year 1776. The first tent allowed them to travel back in time to learn more about Patriot soldiers preparing for war. Dressed in their tricorn hats and waist coats, the father and son duo demonstrated the fife and drum corps. The scholars were also able to view a historic weapon used during that time 

The fife and drum corps were important to the army, often used for moral boosters and battlefield signals.  

In the next tent, the scholars were introduced to Thomas Paine, a revolutionary writer and Founding Father who wrote “Common Sense,” a pamphlet that influenced the American Revolution. Adjacent to that, they joined Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Robert R. Livingston as they worked to draft the Declaration of Independence, a document declaring the US’s official separation from Great Britain. 

Then, they acted as spies and helped plan George Washington’s attack that began the Battle of Trenton, eventually meeting Washington himself and crossing the Delaware River to surprise a group of Hessian soldiers. 

Following the victory, students swiftly departed their journey to the tunes of “Yankee Doodle.” 

The four stations were an improv session for the school’s junior students as they directly researched, scripted and dressed for their parts.  

“For our older students, they learned so many things, [there’s] so many layers to it,” said History Department Chair Carmen Burgess. “They have worked on building their skits with historical accuracy.” 

Younger scholars, she said, were able to reinforce what they learned in the classroom by seeing it come to life. 

“Our goal always is to make our scholars stronger leaders, and of course, set them up to be virtuous American citizens. And to go out and be leaders within the Clay community.”