By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Early morning rain and clouds Monday in Marion County followed a group of Centre junior high and high school students and teachers as they traveled to Hiawatha High School in northeast Kansas to view the eclipse.

It started to sprinkle, and clouds obscured the moment of totality. However, the clouds broke enough that viewers were able to see the receding stages. A moment of awe came when students put on their special glasses and saw the moon take a shadow bite out of the sun.

Teacher Angela Basore said the bus ride up was filled with excitement.

The group hung out in the football bleachers and ate sack lunches. Science teachers set up three canopies with eclipse activities and weather paraphernalia. Students signed posters and posed for photos.

Celestial treats such as moon pies, Caprisun juice, and star candies were distributed.

The ride home was long.

“The initial two hours only covered 30 miles with heavy traffic filling lanes,” Basore said. “It was a memorable day.”