SENECA — A trek along the Oregon Trail was an arduous and often dangerous journey.

A presentation given by Seneca Elementary students during the Wednesday, April 17, Grant School Board meeting at Seneca School highlighted both the dangers and joys of the more than 2,100-mile wagon route from Independence, Missouri, to the Willamette Valley in Oregon.

Seneca fourth- and fifth-graders Avah Sapp, Nox Long and Blaine James read three-part journal entries outlining the beginning, middle and end of a trip along the Oregon Trail as told in the first person.

Some of the journal entries mentioned accidents, death and hunger, all of which were common occurrences on the trail.

Other entries expressed the settlers’ elation and optimism upon arriving in the Willamette Valley to start new lives.

The students constructed miniature wagons complete with clay oxen and little touches such as trees and families made of clay. Avah, Nox and Blaine said they’d started making their wagons just before spring break.

Tina McCormick, the head teacher at Seneca Elementary, said constructing the wagons is a new thing this year; in the past, students would typically color paper wagons.

“I wanted to take it a step further this year,” McCormick said.

Learning about the Oregon Trail is mandatory for fourth grade students. McCormick said the trail being a large part of Oregon’s history made her students feel a personal connection to the subject mater.

When asked what they’d learned about the Oregon Trail, two of the students highlighted the perils of the overland trek.

“Cholera,” Nox said. “Water hemlock,” Blaine added.

Avah’s response was quite a bit different, highlighting the fact that there were people who would walk alongside the wagons to help control the oxen.

All three kids said they would have traveled the trail if they’d been alive during the mid-1800s and had a chance to do so.

“I feel like it would be worrisome, but I would,” Nox said.

“Same,” Avah chimed in.

Blaine said he’d also have traveled the trail if given the chance.

“I know it wouldn’t be that bad,” he said.

McCormick stressed the importance of teaching students about the history of the Oregon Trail, saying it gives students an idea about the state of the country during its early days.

“I think it really gives them an appreciation of how our country was formed.”