Student’s Winning Words Lead to Trip of a Lifetime

An Eason fifth grader experienced the trip of a lifetime to wrap up the summer after becoming the only Iowan to place in a national writing contest.

“I was really surprised because I didn’t think I was going to win,” said 10-year-old Mary Elouise Bowman.

Unexpected Win

America’s Field Trip announced Mary Elouise as a first-place winner for a poem she wrote in response to the prompt, “What does America mean to you?”

Out of 10,000 students, she was one of 125 students from across the country in grades 3–12 who were selected as first-place winners for their original writing or artwork submissions. Mary Elouise’s poem was about the American flag and how it represents the United States and her family’s military service.

“I just wanted to express myself, and the only way I knew how was through writing poems for my family and my family’s bloodline from being in the military and expressing my story in that way,” shared Mary Elouise.

The national honor came shortly after Mary Elouise won a state contest with another poem, “People Behind the Flag.”

Both poems honored Mary Elouise’s family members who served in the military. Her grandfather served in Vietnam, her dad served in Iraq, and her brother is currently enlisted in the Army National Guard.

Fittingly, Mary Elouise and her mom, Sarah, received an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., as part of the prize for winning the national contest. The trip allowed them to visit several monuments honoring those who have served our country.

Experience of a Lifetime

The experience started the moment they landed in D.C.

“As we were getting off our flight, the pilot invited Mary Elouise into the cockpit. He let her sit in his chair, showed her around, and gave her a set of wings,” said Sarah Bowman.

Both Mary Elouise and her mom agree that the trip allowed them to experience Washington in ways they never would have on their own. They saw the White House, toured the U.S. Capitol, visited the monuments after dark, explored the National Geographic Museum, and even had the opportunity to go underneath the Lincoln Memorial.

“If you had told me I’d someday be standing at the Jefferson Memorial after dark with my 10-year-old daughter because a poem she wrote brought us to Washington, I never would have believed you,” added Sarah.

One of the trip’s biggest highlights was the Smithsonian Sleepover at the National Museum of American History. Despite the name, they didn’t actually sleep there. However, the museum was closed to the public for the evening, allowing the America’s Field Trip winners and their families to explore it after hours.

While the visits to the monuments and museums created special memories, there’s one thing Sarah will remember above all.

“Any time she saw members of the National Guard, she made a point to thank them for their service. It wasn’t something I prompted her to do. She just did it,” recalled Sarah.

Mary Elouise also had the opportunity to share her poem with Rosie Rios, chair of America250 and the 43rd treasurer of the United States, and former Washington state poet laureate and National Geographic Explorer Rena Priest.

Back to Iowa

After several adventure-filled days in the nation’s capital, the Bowmans are back home. Mary Elouise is excited to get back to school, and you can bet she has already begun writing her next poem!