The Daily Standard
Story Archive
Twenty-three Celina High School students went to New York City Nov. 5-9.
CELINA - A group of 23 Celina High School students recently enjoyed a trip to New York City, which some called a life-changing experience that revealed just how big the world truly is - and what opportunities it holds for those who apply themselves, regardless of their pasts.
Expenses for the 23 Celina "Lab Rats," a name adopted by the students themselves, were covered entirely through community donations, including a $5,000 contribution from the Celina Moose.
L-A-B stands for "lead, advocate and build," according to high school intervention specialist Andrea Nickell. The program provides a safe space for students who felt like they didn't have one in a school setting.
The trip's purpose was twofold - to carry out a service learning project at a food bank and to illustrate the truth that anyone can act as a catalyst for positive change.
"A lot of our students have shared this desire to give back," Nickell said in September. "They're usually the ones on the receiving end of these services, and we want to show them that being the change … just isn't reserved for that upper echelon of the high academics or the athletes or anybody like that. Anybody can be the change, no matter your background or your history or even your past mistakes that you've made."
Celina High School English teacher Alicia Ball and a handful of students gave a presentation to school board members this week, enthusiastically detailing the experiences, insights and benefits they gained from their trip to New York City Nov. 4-9.
Twenty-three Celina High School students went to New York City Nov. 5-9. Among the highlights of the whirlwind tour of the Big Apple were a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.
Among the highlights of the whirlwind tour of the Big Apple were a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, a voyage on a ferry to see the Statue of Liberty, a stop at Carol's Bakery, appearing on live TV outside the "The Today Show," taking in panoramic views from the Rock NYC Observation Deck, exploring Central Park, strolling through Chinatown, Little Italy and the Financial District, and catching "The Outsiders: A New Musical" on Broadway.
There were also visits to Macy's Herald Square, the Radio City Music Hall, FAO Schwarz, the Winter Village at Bryant Park, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
In addition to showing a "Saturday Night Live"-styled video containing numerous pictures and a video scrapbook of their adventure, the students offered candid accounts of their lives and how the trip changed their outlooks.
"I've only been to Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan before, so New York City was really different for me. I never seen buildings that tall before ever," one student said. "I didn't really think about traveling until after New York. It really piqued my interest."
Another student said he related to the characters in "The Outsiders."
"My family didn't have a lot of money growing up," he said.
Plus, the student said he had got into a lot of trouble in the past.
"Going to the New York trip, it gave me a chance to think before I act, and do better, like especially here in school. Because I wasn't doing good before, and now I'm starting to get back on track and do better in school," he said. "I actually put in effort at school."
Twenty-three Celina High School students went to New York City Nov. 5-9. One of the centerpieces of the trip was a volunteer shift at Food Bank For NYC, where the students worked retail recovery and sorted through donations from companies.
One of the centerpieces of the trip was a volunteer shift at Food Bank For NYC, where the students worked retail recovery and sorted through donations from companies.
"Being able to help others is a very good thing," another student shared. "It just makes you feel good."
Matt Overman, the pastor of discipleship and outreach at Grand Lake United Methodist Church, a school bus driver and Lab Rat partner, went on the trip as an adult chaperone. He was blown away by how well the students behaved and worked.
"In three and a half hours they sorted through 3,400 pounds of food at the food pantry. Those workers had no idea the storm that hit them," Overman recalled. "These kids were like, 'We don't need a break. We just rode here on a bus. We're getting back on the bus. We're here to work.' And the Mercer County work ethic came out and it just shone through."
Overman said he didn't know many of the kids before the trip.
"But I would take these kids anywhere," he said. "They were respectful, they listened, they learned, they experienced, and you heard them speak of the power and the meaning behind it. And I will share to you that research shows that all it takes is one adult to change the trajectory of a child's life. One. That's it."
The students, Overman said, were exposed to a new world.
"They saw a different world and we can't run past our troubles. That was what 'Outsiders' is, right? We can't outrun our troubles," he continued. "But the world is big enough that sometimes we just need to see how big it is and that we can change and impact our story. And that is what I heard from these kids time and time again ... 'This trip impacted my story' and therefore will change their life."
The students were also very grateful for the opportunity and expressed hope that others will be afforded the same chance in the future.
