(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — The Sierra High School choir paid tribute to local history at the top of Pikes Peak on Tuesday, March 5.

The choir teacher, Mr. Tsambarlis, took over thirty students on an outing to the top of Pikes Peak, according to the Sierra High School Facebook page. It was the first time to the top of the mountain for all of the students who made the trip.

While at the top of the mountain Mr. Tsambarlis arranged for them to sing “America the Beautiful” from the 14,000-foot view that inspired the song.

“America the Beautiful” is one of the most popular patriotic songs in the U.S., the lyrics of which were written by Katharine Lee Bates in 1893 and set to the tune of another hymn. Bates was largely inspired to write the lyrics after a trip to Colorado Springs where she traveled to the top of Pikes Peak and saw the breathtaking view.