By Arayana Harris and Emily Carter
A great appeal of summer is the opportunity to get away. Whether it’s to a beach in Brazil or the mountains in Switzerland, travel offers a chance to relax and explore new cultures.
It’s almost impossible not to learn something new while traveling. Several teachers and students have already made exciting plans.
Sophomore Falynn Jackson and other Varina students are traveling to Switzerland, Germany and the Czech Republic with photography teacher Daniel Stooks. During the trip, Falynn hopes to shop, eat at nice restaurants and take a lot of pictures.
Falynn has previously traveled to Aruba, Cancun and the Cayman Islands, but she has never been to Europe. She hopes she will enjoy herself and have time to relax.
“Traveling is beneficial because it just relieves stress. It’s so relaxing to just get away and have a good time,” Falynn said.
Senior Rebecca Childress will travel to Europe with her family. Her trip is a graduation present from her father to her and her sister Danielle, who graduates from the University of Virginia. On her trip to London and Paris, she said that she wants to visit all of the tourist hotspots like the London Bridge and the Eiffel Tower, but she would also like to discover where the locals like to spend their time.
“I’m just excited to see a new country and explore their culture. And try new foods of course,” Rebecca said.
Senior Sara Banton is traveling to celebrate her graduation. Since December, she’s been saving up money to visit Disney World with her sister Jessica and her cousin Katie. While she’s visited twice before, this trip will be special because she will be paying for travel expenses, tickets, food and souvenirs. Her mother will pay for the hotel.
“This is pretty important to me because it’s my first vacation without my parents,” Sara said. “It’s really my first grown-up trip because I’m paying for [some of] it all on my own.”
Junior Gabrielle Hunkele will visit Seattle for a national student leadership conference in medicine and healthcare.
“I hope to learn about the medicine and health care industry and see if I have what it takes to go into this profession,” Gabrielle said.
Teacher Lesley St. James will travel to Scotland to learn more about herself and her ancestors. She plans to research her genealogy and form ties to family she’s never met.
“Travel opens your mind and helps you understand that there are a variety of perspectives around the world,” Mrs. St. James said.
Travel agent Meg Harrison from Crossroads Travel Inc. said that travel helps people form their own opinions on the world.
“Traveling helps you have a wider outlook on life. You can understand different cultures and learn about what’s real and what isn’t in the news,” Ms. Harrison said.
“They gave me a crown to show how responsible I am, and they also gave me a promise ring,”Yovanka said. “My father changed my shoes from flats to heels to show how I’m not a little girl anymore, but a young lady.”
Yovanka’s party also had dancing. She said the crowd held candles as she danced with her father and grandfather. As she danced, she blew out each candle until they were all extinguished.
The planning process for Yovanka’s quinceañera was similar to the planning of Sparkle’s sweet 16. She said it took nearly five months, and the total cost was approximately $2,500.
Both girls said the time, effort and money were worth it.
“I really wanted to have a party with other people that care about me and stand with me and share my experiences,” Sparkle said.
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