Traveling Knights
Over spring break, students and faculty visited New York, Bali, Italy, Cambodia and the East Coast.
Over spring break, students and faculty indulged their wanderlust, jetting to New York, Bali, Italy, Cambodia and the East Coast to explore and experience what makes these destinations special. From Carnegie Hall to the Roman Colosseum, each place provided our traveling Knights many lasting memories.
Albums with photos from the trips can be found here.
New York City
The School Choirs and faculty members Christine Micu, Jared Jacobsen and Courtney Flanagan headed to the big apple, where the 41 singers rehearsed with choirs from five other schools to perform at the famous Carnegie Hall as part of the National Youth Choir. While in New York, the students got their fill of theatre and music, seeing three Broadway shows and a performance of The Marriage of Figaro at the Metropolitan Opera. They also had the opportunity to participate in a workshop with Ben Cohn, associate director of Wicked on Broadway. Ben composed a piece for the singers, which they will be performing at their spring concert, Images of Home.
Five Performing Dance Group seniors and dance teachers Donna Cory and Cresence Birder ‘07 also journeyed to New York City, where they saw professional dance performances by the Hong Kong Ballet and the Paul Taylor Modern Dance Company. Additionally, they saw the Broadway show, An American in Paris, which featured impressive dancing. The seniors also got the chance to take classes with renowned instructors from around the world, both at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway. They got a feel for the dance community in New York, and were able to expand their understanding of various dance forms while learning choreography.
Bali
Traveling to Bali were 21 students with science teachers Ben Duehr, Michael Samale and Pam Reynolds. The primary focus of the trip was to learn about sustainability and conservation. To observe wildlife, the group went on several hikes through mangrove and monsoon forests. They also spent some time planting mangrove trees, which make up an important transitional community between the ocean and land. During their stay, they learned about the overpopulation issues on the island and how the agricultural past (mostly rice farming) was impacted by tourism and other Western influences such as plastics. To help clean up the island, students picked up the trash that covers many beaches. The group also had the chance to snorkel and scuba dive after learning about the coral restoration projects in place to ensure the survival of the reef.
“I had no idea about the issues related to the coral reefs in Indonesia,” says Nick Holden ‘18. “Due to over-fishing, anchoring in reefs and global warming, Indonesia’s coral reefs are in danger. But it seems like there are serious efforts underway to improve this, and I was glad about that.”
In addition to learning about the local environment, the group visited local Hindu temples as well as a traditional Balinese home, where they connected with a group of orphans who shared a beautiful performance of the song, “We are the World.”
“When I heard each word and lyric, I truly connected to the young children,” says Naomi Kim ‘18. “Even if it was subtle and slight, I got the sense of the children's emotions and their feelings. Even now, a week later, I still go back and live in that moment of gratitude.”
Italy
A country rich in history, art and culture, Italy attracted 14 students and faculty members Ian Hayden, Nicky Holland and Regina Ballard this spring break. While in Rome, the group explored historic sites such as the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, Piazza Navonna, the Borghese Gallery, the Vatican Museums and Saint Peter’s Basilica. The travelers also visited the Trevi Fountain, where, of course, everyone tossed in a coin and made a wish in the hope of returning one day. After Rome, they visited the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, along with Sorrento and the breathtaking Amalfi Coast. They then traveled through the gorgeous Italian countryside, complete with meadows, grazing sheep and hill towns on their way to Florence. The Duomo, the Ufizi and the Accademia were highlights, of this beautiful city.
Cambodia
Over spring break, 25 ninth grade students and faculty members David Moseley, Kristin Davidson '97, Catherine Michaud, Jeremy Gercke and Carol Barry embarked on the first Bishop’s trip to Cambodia. Before the group left, they partnered with the Cambodian Village Fund (led by Bill and Nancy Bamberger, grandparents of Zion Dyson '19) to raise nearly $35,000 to support 26 high school and college scholarships for Cambodian girls and equip a media center in a new village school near Battambang. Highlights of the trip included visiting the Killing Fields and the Genocide Museum, witnessing the opening of new school buildings, spending time with their scholarship girl pen pals, meeting villagers, enjoying local arts and touring the religious sites, Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. In total, the students performed more than 5,000 community service hours on their trip.
East Coast
The biggest spring break group included 51 eighth grade students, teachers Kirk Ankeney, Charissa Keup, Dave Johnston and Head of School Aimeclaire Roche. This group, fascinated by American history, traveled to the East Coast to see prominent historical sites. In Philadelphia, the group visited the Village Tavern, Christ Church, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and the Franklin Museum. And, of course, they had their fill of the city’s renowned cheesesteaks. They also stayed in Times Square in New York City, went to the 9/11 Memorial, Ellis Island, the MET and Rockefeller Center. The group even got to see the spectacular Broadway show, Hamilton. Then, in Boston, they walked the Freedom Trail and completed a simulation on crafting legislation at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute of the Senate. In all, the trip was full of great food, wonderful attractions, museums and incredibly knowledgeable tour guides.