Student's Trip To Spain Drives Quest To Chase 'The Horizon'

Editor’s note: The following letter was submitted by Woodstock High School student William Penniman

The best six weeks of my life. That just about encompasses it – my summer – however to truly describe it seems impossible. I lack the words to explain how inspirationally amazing my summer was for me… Maybe I could do a better job if I tried to explain in Spanish? After all, my mind hasn’t left the Spanish zone since I boarded the plane from Madrid to New York just a few days before the new school year.

Over the past year, I have developed a deep passion for the Spanish language and Hispanic culture, a passion that seems to be growing exponentially thanks to my ambition and support from many wonderful people, one of whom is Señora Breaux from here at Woodstock (High School). I learned so much in the past year from taking her class and immersing myself in the Hispanic culture, and all my hard work paid off this summer in two wonderful ways.

It all started in Valdosta where I arrived on July 22 to begin the single most powerful, exciting, moving and fun experience I have ever had (and I have done many radical things in my short lifetime, trust me): the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program. To anyone who might be considering applying for GHP, just do it. Don’t think twice, because GHP will change your life no matter how cliché it sounds. Take my word for it; I was one of those who said “Mmhm, yeah right. Try me” in response to hearing that same cliché phrase dozens of times, but at the end of GHP I found myself looking back on the most constructive and building four weeks of my entire life.

Not only did I study Spanish literature in the most exciting educational environment for four hours each day — one in which there are no grades, no rules nor assessments, only a room packed full of ambitious and passionate students — I also learned about life. The friends I made at GHP will be my friends for the rest of my life, and the experiences I had there will always be cherished.

After returning home from GHP, I had a grand total of two days to unpack, wash, fold and repack my clothes into my suitcase for my trip to España! Through the National Spanish Honor Society, I applied for and won a travel scholarship which was awarded to twenty students around the nation.

We all were given the magnificent opportunity to enjoy the marvels of Spain for a week, an experience that I will never forget. After having been studying Spanish every day for four weeks straight, I was so pumped up and ready for my trip, as were the other students I met there. We toured Madrid and Spain’s previous capital, Toledo, before going south to Andalucía, the southernmost region of Spain where we visited the cities of Granada, Seville and Córdoba. The culture was rich, the food delicious, and the people full of warm hospitality – all which combined together to make my trip to Spain one of the best trips of my life.

The opportunities I had this summer were priceless. Enjoying the paradisiacal life at GHP and being able to live in a Spanish-speaking country for a week were both truly amazing. My summer and all that I learned and experienced during it have immensely inspired me to travel, to learn more about this world and its culture and to continue chasing the horizon, because I know that the future is full of possibilities and I can’t wait to see where it will take me next.

(Photo credit: William Penniman)