Gospel Singing

By Kaitlin B.

I would have to say that out of many amazing and fun experiences, the Ebenezer Baptist Church was my favorite experience on the Civil Rights trip. Before going to the service, I tried to picture what the singing, the dancing, and the happy energy would be like. The real experience was a hundred times better than it was in my head. We got up from bed, put on our fancy clothes, and walked over to the church. As soon as I stepped foot in the church, it was like a wave of joy and happiness hit me, going through my body, making me smile. We found our seats in the pews, front row to be exact, and got ready for the coolest experience of our lives. The gospel singers walked in, filling in rows behind the altar. The first song was amazing. Everyone was on their feet soulfully clapping and singing. During the song, all the members of the church came to us, and shook each of our hands, welcoming us to their church. 

Some of the hats the women wore were crazy. There was a purple-feathered hat, a high pink hat, and many more crazy hats. When the preacher was talking, he wasn’t talking about things we hear about every time we go to church at home; he was raising his voice up and down, absorbing everyone in the church. He made me realize how going to church during the civil rights movement lifted everyone’s spirits, and kept them from breaking down. When the preacher talked, people in the church would say, “amen” or “Praise the Lord.” 

Leaving the church, I felt like there was so much happiness in me, and in everyone else. I wish I could go to church like that every Sunday, or even every day. I can imagine that church got the blacks through the week and gave them something to look forward to during the hard times. 

In My Own Small Way

By Charlotte M.

When you think of school trips, the picture that immediately comes to mind is one of a group of kids circled around a teacher or guide, listening sleepily to the lecture. When you think of overnight school trips, a band or orchestra performing at a competition may pop into your mind. However, when I think of an overnight school trip, I immediately imagine Trips Week. Trips Week at New Canaan Country School is something everyone looks forward to. For the ninth graders, Trips Week is a little more special than the seventh or eighth grade trips, and it’s something to be excited about. We get to travel to new and interesting places, and bond further with our classmates. This year, as I embarked on a six-day journey to New Orleans, I was relatively unaware of the wonderful experiences I would have while I was there. 

At around 8 o’clock on Monday, April 11, our group climbed into our vans and drove to meet up with a representative from the organization Beacon of Hope, that helps to rebuild houses that were damaged during Hurricane Katrina. After arriving at approximately 9 o’clock (10 o’clock Connecticut time) we were given some background and sent off to work. We mainly painted the house, seeing as many of us didn’t know much about construction, but, nonetheless, the experience was one I will never forget. Annie Leonard and I were on a scaffold painting the side of the house, while other people were stationed on other scaffolds or were told to paint the shed or the back of the house. Admittedly, the work was hard – it was hot, humid, and uncomfortable – but definitely worth it. After about 5 long hours, we were finally done.

When you think of school trips, the picture that immediately comes to mind is one of a group of kids circled around a teacher or guide, listening sleepily to the lecture. When you think of overnight school trips, a band or orchestra performing at a competition may pop into your mind. However, when I think of an overnight school trip, I immediately imagine Trips Week. Trips Week at New Canaan Country School is something everyone looks forward to. For the ninth graders, Trips Week is a little more special than the seventh or eighth grade trips, and it’s something to be excited about. We get to travel to new and interesting places, and bond further with our classmates. This year, as I embarked on a six-day journey to New Orleans, I was relatively unaware of the wonderful experiences I would have while I was there. 

At around 8 o’clock on Monday, April 11, our group climbed into our vans and drove to meet up with a representative from the organization Beacon of Hope, that helps to rebuild houses that were damaged during Hurricane Katrina. After arriving at approximately 9 o’clock (10 o’clock Connecticut time) we were given some background and sent off to work. We mainly painted the house, seeing as many of us didn’t know much about construction, but, nonetheless, the experience was one I will never forget. Annie Leonard and I were on a scaffold painting the side of the house, while other people were stationed on other scaffolds or were told to paint the shed or the back of the house. Admittedly, the work was hard – it was hot, humid, and uncomfortable – but definitely worth it. After about 5 long hours, we were finally done.

The Lion Fishies

By Ross H.

A lionfish is a small, white fish with blue stripes running down its side. It’s incredibly dangerous. If any of its poisonous spines penetrate your skin, it will release a toxin that will induce nausea and pain at the point of contact.  During our expedition down to Florida this past week, my eight other classmates and I were set loose to explore a region riddled with colonies of sea sponges. Before our descent into the crystal blue waters of Big Pine Key, our supervisor Danielle told us to keep an eye out for them for they were invasive to the surrounding environment and needed to be captured and sent to labs for research. My diving partner was Matt Evans.

Matt and I dove down in the crystal-clear water until we reached the bottom; the whole trip took about five seconds. There, we discovered many sea sponges that did not live in a pineapple or flip patties for a crustacean. They came in shades of brown and some in red. However, only after the expedition did Danielle tell us that we shouldn’t touch the red ones because they were poisonous. One of our students did anyway though. After exploring the surrounding seabed for approximately half an hour, Matt and I came upon a suspicious rock with about three pairs of spiney points and little, black eyes peaking out of it. Using my highly trained explorer senses, I was able to determine that they were rock lobsters. 

Being men of the manliest caliber, we decided to try to catch at least one of the rock lobsters and then proceed to scare everyone with it while simultaneously radiating our awesomeness and attracting girls. Unfortunately, this would not be the case. Matt and I both dove down to investigate the rock lobster’s hideout when upon closer inspection of the rock we both came face to face with a lionfish. It was a terrifying four inches long, with three-inch spines sprouting off of its blue and white body. We were both so frightened that we retreated to the surface and gave each other congratulations and numerous fist pounds. Together we alerted Danielle of the presence of the lionfish and she bravely captured it, because apparently to do so you must have a license. 

After our short visit to the spongey reef, the ocean was just a little bit safer, thanks to Matt and me. We had aided in the capture of a dangerous and invasive beast and captured it in the safest manner that would do the least damage to the reef - AKA we had Danielle do it. We sure won that day.

Flying High

By Zoe M.

As I crossed the threshold and took my seat, a million thoughts were rushing through my head.  My stomach filled with butterflies as I watched my fellow civil rights populace find their places and get settled in for the ride.  I looked down at my ticket to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.  It was about time I travelled by airplane. The hardest part was waiting for the plane to actually take off.  We rolled about the runway, turning multiple times before the craft got set up to leave.   

Takeoff.  The plane started moving forward a lot faster.  It suddenly left the ground and a moment later I caught a glance out the window.   Things got smaller as we flew higher.  Everyone else seemed very casual about the fact that we were 30,000 feet above the ground.  I could not believe it.

I finally learned what it was like to ride a plane.  It is an experience I hope to soon relive.  I very much enjoy plane rides.  Trying something new can always be scary at first, but now I am mostly just concerned that my next plane ride will not be as exciting, as the plane ride back to New York was not quite the same as the first time.  I learned something about myself.  I like the thrill of not being able to anticipate what is about to happen.  Sometimes it’s better when you do not know what to expect. Out of all the things I learned on the civil rights trip, I believe this discovery will make the most impact on my life.  Whenever I am challenged to try something new, I’ll embrace it.  From now on I will chase that feeling of unknown territory and getting out of my comfort zone.

Swimming with Sharks

By Mayze T. 

It’s impossible to deny that sharks are intimidating. Before I traveled to Florida this Trips Week, I, like many others, felt anxious where sharks were involved. After hearing about Jaws and seeing news reports on shark attacks, it was hard for me to view sharks as anything less than cold-blooded killers. Yes, I had heard the occasional environmentalist demanding the protection of the animals, but I believed that they could protect themselves perfectly well. Almost immediately after we arrived in Florida we were sent to a “shark workshop”, where I had my first face-to-face encounter with one of these animals. In this case, the sharks were frozen, so face-to-face was a relative term.

Still, I had no intention of seeing one of these creatures in the wild. Soon our instructor, Danielle, explained to us the purpose of this workshop. She told us that because so many civilians and fishermen believe sharks to be dangerous, many kill the sharks if they encounter one. Disgustingly, people will remove the shark’s fins in a process known as “finning” and leave the shark to die in the water. Danielle explained to us that the sharks rarely attack people, and usually only pursue surfers who look strangely similar to seals. This put the sharks in a completely different light. Instead of an animal on a murderous rampage, the shark was given a bad reputation due to a few simple mistakes. I found myself wanting to help in any way I could, and even though I had a few misgivings, I realized the importance of protecting these animals. It was a miraculous turn of events when, two short days later, I found myself swimming within a few feet of a reef shark. 

        My heart was beating fast, not from fear but from excitement. I swam down near the ocean floor, getting a close look at the gills, rough skin, and the famous fin. In a few moments, much to my chagrin, the shark began to swim away. My group followed, determined not to lose sight of the creature. We swam into a very shallow area, and there was a second shark with the first! The new shark was larger, a little over five feet.

Although we were enthused, the sharks seemed a little annoyed. Soon they started circling. Danielle had explained to us that this meant the sharks were getting anxious, and wanted privacy. We respected that they wanted space and left quickly. This encounter will remain with me for many years to come. Not only were we able to see an incredible animal, but we were also able to respect its needs when the time came. My Expanded Studies trip gave me a new perspective on an animal which once terrified me, allowing me not only to face my fear, but to care for the very sharks which I was once frightened by.