Wellington U.S. History instructor Rick Phelps, left, gets a donation from Michelle Rausch of Rausch Tires, one of the many downtown businesses who are helping fund the U.S. History trip in November. Chase Easterly and Gracie Defore, WHS seniors who took the trip last year, are helped with the fundraising.

Submitted to Sumner Newscow — On November 15, 2014 four teachers and 122 students from the Wellington High School Junior U.S. History classes will take a fantastic and very educational field trip to the Kansas City area.

Because of the long distance and the 15 hours that the students will be gone, we will use charter busses from the Village Tours Bus Company. Village Tours are giving special rate for the students, $1,866 for a 56 passenger bus plus a fuel surcharge of $56.

The group needs two busses with a total cost of $3,844 that breaks down to $30.75 per person.  The group also will need to pay a $3 entry fee at the National WW I Museum.  Making our total cost $4,219. 

In the past, WHS students have tried to fund this trip at no cost to the students.  This year they are asking each student to contribute $10 with the knowledge some will be unable to pay this but they will still take all students if enough donations are collected.  In the past most donations have ranged from $50 to $500.  The U.S. History group is still in need of more funds to cover the cost of this trip and is asking to kindly ask for support from the community in this educational endeavor.

“Our goal is to make this an annual event so every student who graduates from WHS will have had the opportunity to visit the Federal Reserve Bank, the Truman Library and Museum and the National WW I Museum,” said Rick Phelps, history teacher who has organized the event. “If we are able to collect enough funds we would also like to offer each student the opportunity to visit the Eisenhower Museum, Library and home in Abilene this spring”

There are a lot of clubs and organizations that ask for your support and they are all worthy.

“We know it is impossible to support them all,” Phelps said. “What makes this unique is that it will benefit all WHS students not just a small group and US History is part of their required education not extra curricular.”

Any support a person can give will be greatly appreciated. Please make checks payable to WHS Social Studies Travel Fund. They can be mailed to Wellington High School 1700 E. 16th, Wellington Ks. 67152 c/o Rick Phelps.  If you have any questions or would like to discuss your contribution please feel free to contact Rick Phelps, WHS Social Studies teacher by e-mail rphelps@usd353.com or call 620-326-1115.