The Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City welcomed El Dorado Christian School with an “Action Packed” schedule and amazing tours on Wednesday, April 6, 2022! ECS fourth, fifth and sixth graders began their tour with a peek inside the Missouri House of Representatives. After filing into the House Chamber and grabbing seats in the top row, the House opened the session with prayer and pledges. Students were allowed to witness a few minutes of “discussion on the floor” and were then whisked-away to the next part of their fantastic trip; the Whispering Gallery. The students were more than thrilled to traveled up a winding set of stairs to explore the Whispering Gallery; this beautiful “… uniquely designed drum and dome of the Missouri State Capitol. The acoustics of the gallery allow sound waves to travel alongside the curved walls, thus enabling visitors to hear whispered exchanges across the 100-foot divide of the open space of the dome.” Quote: https://capitol.mo.gov/1272-2/ This was an awesome experience for ECS students and guests!
Following an exciting morning, lunch was next on the itinerary. Students, parents and ECS teachers were provided lunch by Representative, Mr. Jim Kalberloh. Representative Kalberloh represents the 125th District of Missouri which includes St.Clair, Hickory and parts of Cedar and Benton counties in Missouri.
A wonderful surprise came after they finished lunch; meeting the 57th Governor of Missouri’s wife, first Lady, Mrs. Teresa Parsons and touring the Governor’s Mansion! “The Missouri Governor’s Mansion has been the official residence of Missouri’s Governors since 1872 and is one of the oldest governors’ homes in the United States.”
Quote: https://mansion.mo.gov/history
After the group stopped and took pictures in front of the gorgeous Governor’s house, they set off on their final adventure of the day; a tour of the Missouri Capitol Building.
“The present Missouri State Capitol is the third permanent structure to serve as the seat of state government in Jefferson City, and the sixth capitol in the state’s history. The first capitol in Jefferson City was built in the period of 1823-1826 and was destroyed by fire in 1837. A second capitol was completed in 1840, but also burned when the dome was struck by lightning on the evening of Feb. 5, 1911. The ground-breaking for the present capitol occurred on May 6, 1913, after the state’s voters overwhelmingly approved a bond issue to determine its location and finance its construction. The building was completed in 1917, and officially dedicated on Oct. 6, 1924.” Quote: https://capitol.mo.gov/about-the-capitol
The Missouri State Capitol Field Trip was a wonderful opportunity for the next generation to gain knowledge of how our government works, in addition to meeting individuals that they read/study about in school. Pictured: front row, sitting on the floor: l-r: Jace Tyler, Jake Stomp, Lilah Guarino, Alayna Gingerich, Aleta Lyness, and Dalton Hicks. Second row: Asher Johnson, Jonathan Cole, Grant Rosbrugh, Chloe Conduff, Bennett Johnson, Trey Watkins, Payton Lawson and Josie Wyant. Third row; Brandon Geigley, Harper Blurton, Lucy Goodyear, Sadie Watkins and Laura Purtle, Back row: Representative Jim Kalberloh, Tirzah Pietersen, Jack Bland, Paityn Bland, Kaidyn Asmus, ECS 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Chelsey Asmus, ECS 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Ingrid Pietersen, ECS 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Darla Daniel, Grace Hubbard, Tristen Roberts and Senator Crawford.