Interviews
So- What Makes a Good Trip?
Written by Sofia Pyasta
March has become the month for trips, with there being 2 Broadway trips, an ice skating trip, an art trip, a movie trip, etc., all happening in the last month. With so many trips happening all at once, it may leave everyone attending many of these trips with one thing to take into perspective: What makes a good trip? Is there something that necessarily stands out in these trips that makes them ‘bad’ or ‘good’?
One advantage that some trips have, according to multiple students, is a sense of freedom, which can be rare. Most school-based trips, for the sake of safety and security, are more strict about the things that students are allowed to do on trips since they are outside the school building. There are, though, opportunities on very few trips for students to do their own thing in a specific area, like the ice skating trip, which is what made it one of the most enjoyable trips for many students. Though students did need to stay at the rink during the trip, while they were there, they could do what they wanted to do without constantly being under direct supervision. Students could be on the rink, sitting by it, going inside the building, etc., all without being told what to do and what not to do, while still having the safety and security of the trip directors around the area.
The feedback for, for example, the freshman mixer movie trip was drastically different. While many did enjoy the fact that they did not have classes and practically just got to hang out with their friends all day, their experience at the theater itself was not the best. It was a relatively short trip, which may be one thing that put it lower in ranking, along with the fact that students got practically no freedom all day. From being stuck in the auditorium for hours to having to constantly stay in the group throughout the trip, even while in the building, Something that many noted was that while in the theater, they felt restricted. With constantly having to stay with a large group and waiting for the rest of the group, one thing that multiple students noted was that the organization could have been better. An idea was given by a student to have the group be split up with a chaperone so that it is just that small group that is responsible for one another, which would have helped with the organization.
Overall, many components make a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ trip. From time and freedom to organization and safety, and many more. But not all trips can necessarily be characterized as ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Many components lead to each opinion, and these opinions may differ from student to student. What every trip does have are traits that can be seen as either ‘good’ or ‘bad’, which may lead to the final ranking given to that trip, but from the opinions of many students, some trips are just better than others.
Music
Music
Music
What Was The Ice Skating Trip Like?
Written by Elene Dvali
Spring is right around the corner, and during the last days of winter, the students of Manhattan Hunter Science High School had the opportunity to go on a trip. The purpose of it was to end this cool season off on a lively note and to enjoy a fun winter activity while the weather was still permitted. The fun winter activity in question was ice skating at the Wollman Rink. Leading up to the outing, many had expressed great interest in indulging in this pastime, which is why there was no surprise when a large number of students signed up to go. Some of these students who were present on the trip were interviewed about their opinions regarding the experience, and for the most part, their responses were positive.
While on the trip, students were asked about the things that first piqued their interest and why they ultimately decided to go. The common consensus was that the idea of getting outside and enjoying fresh air was appealing, and getting a break from schoolwork for a bit only added to the excitement. Many also mentioned that they and their friends had wanted to go ice skating this winter and that this trip was the perfect opportunity to do so. Once back from the trip, those interviewed expressed that they loved this outing because they got to do exactly what they had initially wanted: get some time away from school and relish the final bits of winter. They enjoyed that they were able to relax and just be in the moment with their friends while ice skating until their feet hurt and laughing at each other and falling until their stomachs ached. People also liked that it was not cold, but that did not mean that the weather was perfect. Despite some warmth being welcome, it ended up being too hot. Since everyone had been told to bring warm clothes, they had been preparing for cooler temperatures and were surprised by the heat. Other than the fact that everyone was dressed a tad warmer than necessary, the heat also caused some of the ice on the rink to melt, which made falling all the more unpleasant because of the abundance of water you would land in. The quick moment of rain mid-trip also added to the water that was collecting on the rink and further soaked those who were skating. But even with all of this, people still enjoyed themselves. They said that the bit of rain gave a movie-esque feel to the whole experience and made skating even more fun, and the fact that they could stay at the rink after being dismissed made it all the more delightful.
Overall, everyone thoroughly enjoyed their time during this trip, whether it was because they got to spend time with their friends or because they had the opportunity to ice skate during the final days of winter. Numerous students found this trip extremely fun, and when asked whether they would consider going again, a large chorus of enthusiastic “Yuh”s ensued. So, essentially, students loved going ice skating, and if this trip were to come back next winter, those who went would gladly go again.