This year, the school board of Freedom Area High School (FHS) agreed on an out-of-country trip to explore the culture, environment and lifestyles of other countries. While the Spanish Club goes on out-of-country trips as well, this trip is strictly for the personal benefit and enjoyment of all students of FHS.
During the second quarter of the 2023-2024 school year, the school board and staff announced that they would be doing a trip to a few different countries; Scotland, Ireland and England. Beforehand, students got to put the trip to a vote, Scotland, Ireland and England or Germany, Switzerland and Italy. In the end, the first set of destinations was victorious. The head of the planning and fundraising of the event, Ms. Carrie Tuszynski, gave students a full outline of the trip and what it has in store. While the parent advisory council and Tuszynski worked to fix out the kinks and any questions about the trip, they released a full set of fundraisers to help pay for the trip. With trips going out of the country costing a good amount of money— taking into account the plane ticket, dining, shelter, transportation and souvenirs— it is not the easiest to afford the whole cost out of pocket.
“The number one goal of this school trip to Ireland, Scotland and England is to give students an opportunity they may not otherwise get a chance to have. The students will be able to experience different cultures, languages and environments, allowing them to have a better understanding of the world around them,” Tuszynski said. “We want them to experience things they learn about in class. Students will return with so many stories of their experiences to share with others. They will make lifelong memories.”
The fundraisers this year consisted of a multitude of different items and necessities for the students and parents to sell. Since the trip is not happening until 2025, students have all summer and some of the 2024-2025 school year to raise money. While students have to fundraise for themselves, the trip was open to parents of attending students to help chaperone and see the wonders of Scotland, Ireland and England. Even so, the trip’s capacity held a total of 41 travelers, so students and parents had to be quick to get tickets and claim a spot on the plane. On March 19, 8:00 P.M, the final spot for the trip was taken, and that concluded the passengers of the 2025 trip.
“I am really excited about this trip. When they told us it was happening, I could not wait to see the scenery of Ireland, Scotland and England, especially the mountains and terrains,” junior Payton Bickerstaff said. “I am also really excited to try the food and see the culture of different countries.”
While this is Freedom’s first year doing a trip like this, they do not plan for it to be their last. With parent advisory and head coordinators confirming that there will be future trips every other year, meaning the next trip would be in 2027, hope is not lost for students and parents who did not make it on this one. While it can not be said that they will make another trip to Scotland, Ireland or England, it can be said that Freedom has started a new tradition that has an undying fire of support from the community.