I am once again struck by the way Gateway students pull together as a group when faced with new experiences, and by how much our staff go out of their way to ensure that our students have great experiences under various conditions. In this particular instance I am writing about the Class of 2013 and their senior trip. After much planning and some last minute changes, at the time I'm writing this, the seniors are in the third day of their trip to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios.

Although this is a diverse group of students who do not always spend much time together back at Gateway, they've bonded well on this trip and created memories that will last a lifetime. Some of these students have not traveled frequently, nor great distances, some have never flown, some have never traveled without their parents, and some have never had the opportunity to share a hotel room with people other than their families. Those things have already changed on this trip. For these seniors, this trip is a learning experience of coping with a world much different from the one we find in our small communities. From navigating airports, to figuring out bus routes and schedules, to planning their day to ensure they are where they're supposed to be on time and prepared for the next activity - and to do much of this on their own - are certainly life skills that are important and relevant to being a citizen in an expanding world.

In addition, Walt Disney World gives these students a glimpse into a world of opportunities for careers, education and travel. The students have been able to interact with interns from all over the world during their stay here. I've heard conversations about the possibilities of being an intern, of what would be required to work and manage the many shows, exhibits, and events we've seen or participated in, and we’ve talked about the experiences one can gain from traveling, going to school, or even living in another country. We'll even formally review and discuss some career options when the students participate in an afternoon Youth Education Series activity this week.

As difficult as it may be to believe, after just 3 days, you can actually see an increase in our student's confidence in resolving difficulties, solving a problem, and interacting with other people from throughout the world. Add to this the interactions with the trip's chaperones and the many things they've seen and done, this trip provides a great launching pad for exploring possibilities after graduation. I also appreciate the bonding opportunities this trip provides for our students and the chances for collaboration, communication, problem solving, and innovation between students and the chaperones. What would be nice is a series of similar activities from early in the Freshman year to create a class atmosphere and sense of community for their four years in high school, a significant expansion of the current advisory periods and class advisorships.

I also have to take a moment to thank the chaperones on this trip. From parents, to staff, to town residents, these individuals provide a wide range of services to our students. From the traditional safety and security aspects of being a chaperone to the interactions over meals, at events, and throughout our stay, the chaperones have provided additional insights into life in an informal, yet meaningful way. These interactions, and the low-key manner in which they occur, are a great way to highlight and model what works in each chaperone's life and experiences as models for our students.