A major gift from Flora Steffan four years ago funds a trip to the state capitol, Living History Farms, and other sites along the way for each year's entire sixth grade class. Sixth grade teachers, Steve Harmon and Jeanne Streit say students broaden their knowledge and appreciation of Iowa more through this trip than they ever could by reading about it in a textbook. There is also a distinct social benefit from this trip, since some of our students have never before been out of Northwest Iowa or away from their familys overnight.

Delwyn Postma, one of the parent chaperones for the trip, says students learn history all the way across Iowa, from the Floyd Monument in Sioux City to Living History Farms, the Capitol, Terrace Hill (the governor's mansion) and Camp Dodge National Guard Base. With good pre-trip preparation from the faculty, students eagerly take notes and complete assignments relating to what they see. This year they even had an opportunity to sit in on a court hearing with Ireton native, Iowa Appeals Court Judge Terry Huitink presiding.