Ali Schulz
Junior Editor
Forty-three students will travel to England and France for a weeklong trip from March 15 to March 23. They will visit sites from the Palace of Versailles to the Eiffel Tower.
The trip was open to grades nine-12 to apply for. Students were informed of the trip last year and could attend an informational meeting to show interest and learn about costs. Once they decided they were interested, they could sign up.
It costs a little over $4,000 if one did early enrollment. Social studies teacher Betty Roberts offered a fundraiser each semester leading up to the trip to subsidize the cost if a student decides that they are interested.
“Many students make more money with a part-time job and use their paycheck to fund this trip,” Roberts said.
This trip was not put together overnight. Roberts had to submit an application for this trip and then get approval from the school board. After approval, she was able to start the planning process. This included choosing chaperones through a careful process to ensure safety. Roberts also had to make sure students got in all the proper forms, such as health forms and parent release forms.
The trip is not only an opportunity to explore Europe, but it is also an opportunity to learn. Before the trip, each student will do research on the sites they are visiting. They are rewarded with Experiential Learning credit through the Chelsea Center.
“In addition, students are given lessons on etiquette and travel preparation. They will learn to navigate cities, restaurants, various methods of transportation, and will learn how to order and shop in international countries,” Roberts said.
Roberts is glad that she is providing the opportunity for students to travel and experience the world outside of the St. Louis region.
“It broadens their horizons in so many positive ways,” Roberts said. “It is powerful to see students recognize the endless possibilities that travel offers.”
The students going on this trip are excited to experience these opportunities as well.
“I am most excited to learn about the European culture. I have never been to Europe before, so I am extremely excited to try new food, see new sights, be surrounded by a new language, and overall embrace the countries,” junior Mary Weimer who is going on the trip said.
Junior Addison Simpson agreed. “There are a couple of days in the itinerary where we get to explore the cities on our own. I’m most excited to walk around England and France with my friends, and I am excited to just be able to explore the city with little structure,” she said.
Both students agreed they were very excited to see the Palace of Versailles and the D-Day beach. In addition, both students were inspired by Roberts to sign up for this trip.
“I work extremely hard to ensure that students have a safe, educational, and enjoyable experience,” Roberts said.
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Ali Schulz- Junior EditorThis will be Ali Schulz’s second year on ECHO Staff. She also made several contributions while taking journalism class her freshman year. She was opinion/news editor her first year on staff |
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