By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcwqel.com
Zoe Rutledge is no stranger to the sights of Washington, D.C., but the trip she will be taking in March will be extra special.
Gerald White, director of Americanism and Youth Activities at the American Legion of Ohio, informed the Buckeye Central junior that she was one of 18 students across the state to win the Americanism and Government Test program. Rutledge joined over 50 other Buckeye Central students who have won the distinction since the state program began in 1936.
“The whole premise of this program is to test the students’ knowledge about what’s going on around them,” White explained. “It’s not designed to have a student compete against another student; it’s designed to have that student compete against themselves.”
Students are given 50 questions that span the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. flag, and federal, state, county, city, and township government. They are also tested on school board government.
“We think that is rather unique because what affects a lot of the student’s life in the community besides the school board? We throw some questions in there just to see what they know about what drives the school every day,” White said.
Students from 500 schools across the state, along with homeschooled students, compete in the program. This year, 57,000 test papers were sent out to the schools and 18 state winners were whittled down. A pair of students – one male and one female – were selected from the sophomore, junior, and senior classes.
White officially broke the news to Rutledge Thursday morning in front of members from the New Washington American Legion Post #405, school administration, and a few of her teachers.
Not only was Rutledge in a class all of her own, but she was also awarded a five-day, all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. in March. The trip, which costs around $25,000 to bus, house, and feed the students and chaperones, is paid for by the American Legion of Ohio and the American Legion auxiliary.
“We consider this to be an award, not a reward. This is not something we’re giving you – it’s something you’ve earned by participating in this program,” White said as he sat across from a smiling Rutledge.
“It’s a really great experience and a really great honor,” Rutledge said after the announcement. “I’m very proud that I get to represent the school as well as I can.”
Rutledge said she felt fairly prepared going in to the test, a feeling that she credited to having a good government teacher.
Rutledge travels to the nation’s capital nearly every year with her family and, despite her knowledge of Washington, D.C., her excitement shone through as White detailed what they would be doing during the trip. The special experience will include stops at the Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson monuments, the war memorials, a museum, the U.S. National Archives, Capitol Hill, the Washington Cathedral, and a visit to Gettysburg. White noted they would not be visiting the White House due to the numerous protests.
“First and foremost, this trip is designed to be educational,” White said after thanking the schools for allowing the American Legion posts to administer the test. “You’re going to get to go to some places and you’re going to get to do some things that the average high school trip to Washington would not have a chance to, as well as the average citizen, to be real honest with you.”
With that incentive placed in front of Rutledge, White pointed out some of the extraordinary things Rutledge will be able to experience: being part of a group to lay a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Arlington National Cemetery, visiting the diplomatic reception room at the State Department, stopping by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and viewing the presidential box, a trip to the Marine Corp base in Quantico, Virginia, where they are expected to tour the presidential helicopter squadron.
Rutledge said she was most excited about visiting the helicopter squadron due to both her parents being in the Air Force.
“Buckeye Central High School and the town of New Washington is a pretty special place. You may not think so right now, but from someone who doesn’t live here but comes here a lot, this is a very special place,” White told Rutledge. “The longer you’re away from a town like this – or Bloomville or Tiro or Chatfield – the more you’re going to appreciate being from a town like this. There’s a lot of things you don’t have in a community like this; there’s so much more you do have in a community like this.”
White gave special notice to the local American Legion post, which administered the test at the high school and later graded them before passing them up the ranks.
“I just think it’s such a wonderful experience for them,” said Paul Zimmerman, chairman of the Americanism program for the New Washington post. “I’m glad that we can do it (for them).”
The New Washington post also gave Rutledge a $50 check to spend on souvenirs.
Rutledge, who was commended on her academic achievements by school administrators, noted her involvement with the Youth and Government program at the Tiffin YMCA. She hopes to go to a service academy after graduating from high school and focusing on law.
“I plan on sticking in this kind of area for a while,” Rutledge laughed.