Not Just Another Summer Vacation for Students at Southeastern Regional Vocational Tech Travel Club

Twelve Southeastern Travel Club members, including Christina Wade of Stoughton, seized the opportunity of a lifetime this summer, when they spent 10 days touring Portugal, Spain and Morocco. Preparation for the club’s second international trip began last September, when students began to study the area and began creating a souvenir portfolio. The months flew by as students completed the passport application process and other housekeeping details, participated in fundraising activities and attended practical value preparatory meetings on such topics as how to pack for 13 days away from home.

The itinerary began with sightseeing in Lisbon, followed by a trip to the National Palace and the colorful “Castelo de Pena” in Sintra. The tour continued in Evora and the southern coastal province of the Algarve. The students and their three Southeastern Regional staff chaperones next headed east to Seville and the renowned “Blue Flag” beaches of Costa del Sol in Spain. A ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar brought the group to Morocco, an exotic world of mosques, camel riding and bustling markets where the art of haggling is accepted and expected. After their day in Africa, the group returned to Spain to visit the Alhambra in Granada, enjoy paella in Valencia and tour Barcelona’s Aquarium and Cathedral and unforgettable Flamenco Dance performances. Meanwhile, their parents and guardians followed the adventure through daily postings to the Southeastern Regional Travel Club’s Facebook page.

Both chaperones and students appreciated the value of the Travel Club’s activities:

“The kids were terrific, they really enjoyed this trip. I hope that more students get involved, especially the way the world is now with the ability to communicate with others around the world. There’s so much out there.” - Vice Principal and Chaperone Karen Maguire.

“The kids were fantastic. They had a great time, were well behaved, and everyone got along really well. They’ll carry and cherish those memories for the rest of their lives.” - Special Education Department Administrative Assistant and Chaperone Derek Ferris.

“We saw Flamenco performers in Barcelona, visited small, quaint cities and larger, more modern ones. Each part of the trip was very different. The kids had a blast. We had a blast.” - Bre Miller, History Teacher and Travel Club Coordinator.

“I liked seeing the different cultures and how different it was from here. Portugal was my favorite. It was so pretty, especially the beaches. I think I’ll go back someday to spend more time in the little shops.” - Christina Wade, Southeastern Travel Club member and Stoughton resident.

The Southeastern Travel Club prepares students for both Domestic and International travel opportunities. Future plans include a spring weekend trip to Washington, D.C. In April, 12-15 students, including culinary vocation enthusiasts, will embark on a journey to Paris, Venice, Florence and Rome. For more information, please contact Ms. Karen Maguire (kmaguire@sersd.org) or Mrs. Bre Sullivan Miller (bsullivan@sersd.org).

Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School is a public 9-12 vocational high school located in South Easton, Massachusetts, serving approximately 1,335 students from the city of Brockton and the towns of East Bridgewater, Easton, Foxborough, Mansfield, Norton, Sharon, Stoughton and West Bridgewater.

i