Whiz Kid: Billy Sullivan

Waterford High School senior, Billy Sullivan, has just returned home from his adventure in Greece and Turkey.

For the past consecutive three years, a group of teachers at have been traveling abroad each summer with their students to enjoy the historical sights that the Mediterranean has to offer. 

Ian Cheney, Courtney Hesch, Kate Peruzzotti and Greg Woods accompanied a select group of forty students abroad. Admission for the trip was based on an essay contest. 

Sullivan was one of the lucky students selected to study abroad. This being his first experience in Europe, Sullivan was overjoyed to have such an opportunity. The students left for their trip on June 25^th and returned home July 7^th. 

The WHS group was able to visit ancient Greek and Roman ruins that others only read about from the desks of their social studies classrooms. 

In Turkey, Sullivan discussed visiting the cities of Ephesus, Troy and Pergamon. Although Ephesus is famous for the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, and Troy is famously known as the site of the Trojan War, Sullivan greatly favored Pergamon.

“Pergamon was so nicely preserved,” Sullivan explained, “and it was in the middle of nowhere high upon a mountain top. The view was incredible.” 

In addition to the ancient sights of Turkey, Sullivan was able to experience the modern day city of Istanbul. As the former capital of the Roman Empire, previously known as Constantinople, Istanbul is currently the largest city in Turkey. 

While in Istanbul the group was able to explore the great Spice Bazarr, the sultan’s palace, as well as the gorgeous architecture of Hagia Sophia. 

Sullivan raved about the beauty of the city. “I spent an entire three hours of free time looking around the sultan’s palace,” he said. 

In addition to Turkey, the group was also able to explore the rich history of Greece. After visiting the Parthenon and other ruins located in Athens, Sullivan turned his attention to the Greek islands of Crete and Santorini. 

Sullivan reflected on the hospitality of the hotels they stayed in with a smile. “They tried so hard to accommodate us and make us feel at home,” he said, “everyone seemed genuinely interested in where we were from and the purpose of our trip.” 

One particular hotel put a lot of effort into serving the Waterford group an American meal. “When it came out we ended up having some kind of salsa on top of our pasta instead of typical tomato sauce,” Sullivan laughed. 

Sullivan serves as the senior class president and a member of the golf team as well as the windmill feasibility project. His trip to Europe was by far his favorite activity he’s participated in during his time at Waterford High School, he said. 

During the upcoming school year Sullivan plans on applying to colleges located in major metropolitan areas so that he may study business. He dreams of returning to Europe in the future so that he can explore the city of Rome.