Imagine your school having a walking trail filled with information stations about the history of your township. Making it even more special is that it was part of a special educational project you took part in.

For a group of local students, that project became a reality when their principal, Dr. Anthony Moyer, officially opened the Willow Lane Elementary Historical Trail recently.

As part of the enrichment program project done over the span of six weeks, the students did research and were guided by the help of the Lower Macungie Township Historical Society’s Sarah Jane Williams.

In an interview with The Press, Williams explained how the project unfolded.

“In March, they invited us to come here and meet with the students to discuss doing this history board project. We met with the students, they had great questions,” Williams said.

Research resulted in the trail, which is a tour around the township, Williams said.

“[The research] focused on who lived here and what they did, etc. They used this as a resource for the project. We were invited back several times to help edit what they wrote.”

Student Madison McGinnis explained to The Press she decided to be part of this project because, “I’ve always wanted to know the story of the buildings here in Macungie.”

For McGinnis, who enjoys history, learning about the township was important to her.

“I’m really proud of my work and that my dad is here.”

The significance of the work of the students did not go unnoticed by the county.

Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong, who himself was a teacher for 40 years, made a special trip to the school to speak to the students. He told them “I’m so proud of you!”

Armstrong continued, “As an educator, people don’t realize the wonderful things that the students are doing here in Lehigh County.”

“We need to let everybody know how great you are for what you have done. To let people know about the people who lived here before you. What that means to you. What it’s going to mean when you grow up. How it’s going to shape your life,” Armstrong said.

Lehigh County Commissioner and Willow Lane Elementary School parent Ron Beitler made this point. “In history, you learn about Philadelphia and New York, and all these big events. But to be able to turn our gaze inward and look at our local community and this specific property, and the properties around it and how it has evolved is something really special and exciting.”

Students Mariam Ben Yahia and Kaila St. Valle both told The Press they love writing and learning about history.

“I knew I would learn about the young people and old people who lived here before in Lower Macungie,” St. Valle said. Both students are proud of their contributions to this project.

In an interview with The Press, Moyer said he hopes the local community will come out and see the work of his students and learn about how things were when the settlers first arrived and how things evolved.

As for his students, “They’re amazing! You give them an idea and they take it the extra mile every time, Moyer said.

“These kids are amazing and that’s what makes the job so fun every day because I’m in awe of their abilities and their eagerness and motivation.”