Stamford Residents Take Service Trip to Puerto Rico

Nineteen members of New Canaan Country School’s Class of 2019 traveled to Villa del Rio, Puerto Rico in June to help rebuild a home destroyed by Hurricane Maria. The annual trip, which typically centers around a service component, also offers students a language immersion opportunity and a chance to meaningfully experience another culture.

In addition to digging holes, mixing cement and putting up rebar alongside local hurricane relief organizers and the home’s owners, Puerto Rican natives Angel and Maria, students also explored the island, practiced their Spanish, hiked in the El Yunque Rainforest and kayaked in the Bioluminescent Bay of Fajardo.

Previous service trips have included rebuilding a school in Costa Rica and supporting farmer’s fertilization efforts in the Galapagos Islands.

Participants in the 2019 trip included Stamford residents Anthony Crossman and Daniela Soto, along with Andrew Almeida of New Canaan, Alex Almeida of New Canaan, Caroline Blouin of Darien, Margaret Boeschenstein of New Canaan, Nikolas Cadoret of New Canaan, Jack DeGulis of Darien, Lindsey Ferretti Darien, Ellie Hanson of New Canaan, Logan Johnson of New Canaan, Kyle Latimer of Darien, Gigi Morgan of Darien, Reed Parmelee of New Canaan, Noah Rizvi of New Canaan, Dylan Seth of New Canaan, Gwen Thompson of Darien, Ella Zea and Mason Zea, both of New Canaan and chaperones Upper School World Language Teacher Elizabeth Pepe and Upper School Math Teacher Barbara Latimer.

New Canaan Country School is a co-ed, independent day school for students in Pre-K (ages 3 & 4) through Grade 9. Located on a 75-acre campus in New Canaan, the school provides transportation to families living throughout the region. For more information about the school, please visit www.countryschool.net.