Trip To Italy Leaves Lasting Impression On West Orange HS Students

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the West Orange Public School District. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Juniors and seniors from West Orange High School's Italian classes, Italian Club, and Honor Society had the opportunity of a lifetime when they traveled to Italy from April 6 to 15. Italian teachers Rosanna Zamloot (WOHS), Carlo Felici (LMS), and Anna Maria Grammatica (RMS) chaperoned the trip, which was organized by Zamloot.

"It was a journey filled with unforgettable experiences that left a lasting impression on the students," she said.

The students' first stop was the magical city of Venice, where they experienced the beauty of Piazza San Marco and took gondola rides through the city's winding canals. They loved learning about the historical architecture, colorful buildings, and unique atmosphere.

Next, the students traveled to San Gimignano, a medieval town located in the Tuscany region of Italy. They stayed at an agriturismo (a farm designed to receive guests), where they learned about Italian farming and agriculture. They also visited the town of San Gimignano, studying its culture and history.

Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance, was the next stop on the whirlwind tour. Students saw the art of Michelangelo and Botticelli. They marveled at the famous dome built by Brunelleschi and explored the city's historic landmarks. They also had the chance to take a cooking class and learned to make fettuccine from scratch, as well as tomato sauce, polpettone, and panna cotta. The students were excited about getting hands-on experience in Italian cooking, and the results were delicious.

One of the most memorable moments of the trip was when the students finally met their friends from the Italian high school, Giotto Ulivi, in Borgo San Lorenzo, a small town outside of Florence. After collaborating virtually for eight months, the students enjoyed spending time and dining together, and the experience was truly unforgettable.

The students then visited Pompeii, bringing them to the archeologically restored city destroyed by Vesuvius in 79 AD. They also visited Sorrento and Capri, which captivated them with the scent of lemons, oranges, and flowers, and sea breezes. The students had the chance to learn the traditional Neapolitan dance,Tarantella Napoletana, and enjoyed some of the best pizza and gelato Italy has to offer.

The trip concluded in Rome, where the students visited the Vatican, Saint Peter's Cathedral, the Sistine Chapel, Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps, Castel Sant'Angelo, and the Trevi Fountain. They also had the chance to become gladiators for a day and learn about ancient Roman history and culture in a unique and interactive way.

"Overall, the students' trip to Italy was an incredible experience that allowed them to immerse themselves in Italian culture, history, and language," explained Zamloot.

"It was an opportunity to learn about Italy's past and present, to connect with Italian students, and to create memories that will last a lifetime."

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