The band in April will perform at the Lincoln Memorial and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. The band will lay the wreath at 3:15 p.m. on April 1.
"It's a very important occasion," band director Pam Mullins said of the trip.
Ms. Mullins said she sent a request to Arlington Cemetery's Public Wreath Ceremony Coordination Office to participate in a public ceremony.
She said she was quite surprised when she received approval for her request.
"I thought it was going to be a rejection notice," she said, adding she probably squealed when learning the band was accepted.
Kaitlin Horst, spokesperson with Arlington National Cemetery, said organizations such as Boy Scouts and civic groups are considered for wreath-laying ceremonies.
"It's certainly a way for groups to honor our veterans at Arlington," she said, adding the spring time is a popular time for groups to visit the cemetery.
The trip to the nation's capital will be pricey for the band.
Ms. Mullins estimates the trip will cost about $560 per student, and about 45 of her students are planning to go.
Including the price of meals, transportation, museum visits and housing, the band needs to raise between $25,000 and $30,000.
The school has been selling discount cards for local businesses and sold sprit wear during football season.
On Dec. 3 at 7 p.m., the band will conduct a winter concert in the school auditorium. Admission is $5 and includes appetizers and desserts.
On Dec. 12, it will conduct a Winter Wonderland event from 3 to 7 p.m. in the school's auditorium. Admission is free. The students will sell seasonal crafts and food, games will be available, and guests can pay $5 for a picture with Santa Claus in front of a Christmas tree.
"We're trying to put our heads together to come up with things," Ms. Mullins added.
The band already has received a $500 donation from Ed Voyles Chrysler Jeep for the trip.
It's not the first time Ms. Mullins has been to the nation's capital with band students.
In 1999, she took the Teasley Middle School band to perform in the Cherry Blossom Parade. Those students also laid a wreath at the Lincoln Memorial.
Ms. Mullins said she's hoping her students feel prouder to be Americans once they return from the trip.
"I want them to see the heritage they have," she said, adding she couldn't speak when she visited the Lincoln Memorial for the first time.
Qwenn Parker, the 16-year-old daughter of Robbie and Denise Parker of Canton, said she's excited to make the trip to D.C.
A junior who plays the French horn, Qwenn said the trip should be "amazing."
"I'm hoping to take this experience with me," she said.
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