The Bahamas
The spring break trip for the AP Environmental Science class took students to one of the most beautiful and unique places on Earth – Andros Island in the Bahamas. Staying at the Forfar Field Station, the students had an unforgettable eight days filled with adventure, education and bonding.
One of the highlights of the trip was the incredible snorkeling. Venturing into the crystal clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the students swam alongside sharks, turtles, stingrays, barracudas, eels and other exotic sea creatures.
The trip also had an educational component that was equally impactful. The class had the chance to dissect parts of dead coral reefs, which helped them understand the delicate nature of these ecosystems. They also attended field lectures, learning firsthand about reef preservation and marine conservation. The hands-on learning experience deepened their understanding of human impact on the environment.
Greece
Over spring break, part of the LFA community traveled to Greece to help refugee students at the Municipal Intercultural School of Athens. Students were tasked with building board games, such as chess and tic-tac-toe, to provide the students with more activities during their free time. While creating these games, LFA members had the opportunity to interact with the students, getting to know their experiences and daily lives. After learning about Greek culture, including fashion trends and cuisine, the students reflected on the differences and similarities between the Greek way of life and that of their own community. Aside from the volunteering work, LFA students had the opportunity to discover new aspects of Greek culture, like learning how to make classic Greek dishes including rice-stuffed grape leaves, tzatziki and crispy phyllo dough with meat and cheese inside. Students also learned a lot about Greek architecture, ancient Greek history and lifestyle when the students visited the Acropolis and the Archaeological Museum.
Puerto Rico
Over spring break, several LFA students went on a week-long exploration of Puerto Rico, immersing themselves within the culture. Students learned about the fascinating history of Puerto Rico’s founding and about the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. This was a community service trip, which was chaperoned by Department Chair of Modern and Classical Languages Marianela Gonzalez and Photography Teacher Gillian Teichman.
Students explored San Juan, Old San Juan, Ponce, Cayey and Louiza. These cities had strongly differing terrains; for example, one day, students got to explore Old Town San Juan with its vibrant architecture, and the next day, students explored the mountain regions in Cayey.
Throughout this trip, students got the opportunity to have two locals – Melina and Louis – guide them through the city. They took the group to Old Town San Juan, where they got to see the Castillo San Felipe del Morro. The following day the group ventured to Ponce on the Southern side of the island, where they went on a short hike to a waterfall while learning about the archeological history of the land.
Orchestra Trip
At the beginning of March, the Lake Forest Academy Symphony Orchestra took a trip to New York. The weekend was jam-packed with various activities, including participating in an instrumental clinic, watching the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, seeing multiple Broadway performances and exploring the city. The orchestra goes on a trip to New York every other year, rotating with the choir. The trip’s highlight was the clinic taught by Manhattan School of Music pre-college conductor Tanya Chanphanitpornkit. The three-hour workshop sharpened the orchestra, giving them a different approach to improving their music. Students had the opportunity to play in a professional rehearsal space, adding to the authenticity of the experience. Many returned feeling more connected as an ensemble and inspired to grow musically. The experience also helped students better understand the commitment and discipline required in the professional music world. Director of the LFA Symphony Orchestra Sally Stephenson stated, “This has been an incredible learning experience for myself and [the orchestra]. It’s so awesome to see how those small pieces of advice changed the sound quality of the music.”
