Huntington Teachers and Students Trek to Greece and Turkey
A group of Huntington High School teachers and students traveled to Greece and Turkey during spring break for a week filled with educational adventure and exploration.
The strictly private journey was not sponsored or underwritten by the school district in any way. The teenagers – 42 in all – traveled with art/photography teacher Pam Piffard and social studies teacher Camille Tedeschi, who have led such trips for many years. There were seven additional adult chaperones, including Huntington teachers Erik Bruckbauer and Peter Crugnale.
The group traveled with Education First, an experienced tour company. Students seek out Ms. Tedeschi or Ms. Piffard to indicate interest in the annual trips or just to obtain more information. Past excursions have been made to Italy, Greece, Spain and Peru.
"With the assistance of other teachers in the high school, we had an amazing trip," Ms. Piffard said. "The trip is educational and really covers the history and the culture. Our tour company, Education First put together an amazing itinerary and we visited such places as the Acropolis in Athens, the Temple of Poseidon, the Parthenon, the Temple of Delphi, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Olympic Stadium and we were even privileged enough to go on a cruise around the Grecian Islands including Rhodes, Lindos, Patmos, Crete, Santorini and Mykonos. We also made a stop in Turkey and visited ancient Ephesus and the Virgin Mary's home where she is said to have died."
Ms. Piffard served as the group leader this year. She said the student travelers "were all wonderful and a pleasure to travel with." The traveling party numbered 49 in all.
"At each site we were provided with a tour guide and we learned the background and history," Ms. Piffard said. "Being in Greece and learning about its dynamic history was like living in a textbook. It brought the past alive and we were the historical tourists.
Students submit applications for the private trips and the teachers carefully choose participants. "So not everyone who applies is chosen to go," Ms. Piffard said. "We have a limited number of spaces that we can fill and we choose students to come who we believe will do their best to represent the United States in a positive manner and who we feel can handle the responsibility of such an adventure."
Senior Diana Frank had a thoroughly enjoyable experience on the trip. "I have nothing but good things to say about it," she said. "We went to some of the most beautiful places I've ever seen and I got the chance to create memories and relationships I will never forget. We got the chance to visit islands such as Rhodes, my personal favorite, and Santorini as well as spend a few days in Athens. The people were so friendly. Staying on a cruise ship was so fun and the weather was beautiful. I cannot thank my teachers enough for giving us students the chance to visit places that hold such an extraordinary value in history such as the Temple of Poseidon, Delphi and the Acropolis."
"This was our second time traveling with EF Tours to Greece," Ms. Tedeschi said. The travelers stayed in Glyfada, a suburb of Athens and visited such historic sites as the Acropolis of Athens, the Parthenon and temple of Olympian Zeus, the Plaka district of Athens, the Agora and Olympic Stadium and took a trip to Delphi.
"Some students had the opportunity to ride donkeys on Rhodes and Santorini, cable cars on Santorini, hike a volcano on Santorini, and swim in the Aegean Sea," Ms. Tedeschi said.
"The kids were truly amazing and one of the best groups we have ever traveled with," Ms. Tedeschi said. "They were well-behaved, respectful, friendly, and happy. One was cuter than the next! They wanted to absorb the culture and experience the Greek way of life. We attended religious services since it was Easter and it was spectacular. The Greeks shoot fireworks off at midnight to celebrate Jesus' resurrection. The students were open minded and tried local foods while also taking part in local customs for the holiday."
Senior Richard Gray was among the 42 students on the trip. "Greece was an amazing experience," he said. "Being able to cruise island-to-island with my best friends and experience the unique qualities of each one was something I'll never forget."
"As a social studies teacher, I couldn't have asked for more when my students are discussing the history that I taught them on site," Ms. Tedeschi said. "It was amazing. These trips are such an awesome experience for the kids, but for the adults as well. Some people think we are crazy, but this is one of the highlights of my career. I want to expose my students to the world and prepare them as global citizens."
A trip to Peru is planned for next February. The itinerary includes stops in Cusco and Machu Picchu and camping in the Amazon jungle. "We are already fully booked and have a waiting list," Ms. Piffard said. "I highly recommend getting involved in travel whenever and wherever possible!"