Michelle Soh and Price Howard stand at attention after placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Seventh-graders Price Howard and Michelle Soh were honored to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

These Discovery Middle School students wrote essays stating why they should be allowed the privilege and the tomb’s importance.

Howard wrote, “My grandfather was a soldier in the Vietnam War and Gulf War … it will make my grandfather very happy for me to have this rare opportunity to honor and to respect his comrades that have fallen in the war.”

In presenting the wreath, “I was proud of myself and I felt honored,” Howard said.

Howard is a percussionist in the Discovery Drumline and Symphonic Band. He has earned band medals and superior ratings in solo and ensemble competition.

Price’s parents are Chris and Bonnie Howard. He works at Asteria Solutions Group. She teaches fifth-graders at Madison Elementary School. His sister June is Bob Jones High School junior.

In her essay, Soh wrote, “We have this tomb to help us remember those who have given their lives for our freedom and our country. These men and women loved our country so much that they were willing to give their lives to protect it and our freedom.”

“They gave their lives so we could be free,” Soh added.

Placing the wreath, Soh felt she was in a sacred place. “I had to be formal and couldn’t be casual,” she said. “I felt I had to stand tall and as straight as possible. I mainly looked at either the tomb or the guard.”

At Discovery, Soh helped to found the Anti- Bullying Club. An A/B honor roll student, she received “The Right Stuff Award” at Space Camp. “I am an author, a singer and a harpist,” Soh said.

Michelle’s parents are Princeton and Nicole Soh. Her siblings are Alex and Katie. Michelle’s father works as an aviation analyst and her mother as a Creative Memories consultant.

Social science teacher Christine Jones coordinates seventh-grade field trips to Washington D.C.