Senior students in AP and Accelerated English classes at Bellefonte Area High School (BAHS) had the opportunity to visit Ellis Island in New York City. From 1892 to 1924, Ellis Island was America’s largest and most active immigration station. Over 12 million immigrants were processed at this destination and the inspection process took approximately three to seven hours. Senior English classes learned all about Ellis Island, the people fleeing to come to the United States, the process of migrating, and why people came here.
Around 50 students attended the field trip and highly recommend it when you’re a senior. The trip took place on October 16, and students took the day to explore the city. The students and faculty began their adventure at around five in the morning and arrived at Ellis Island at around ten in the morning.
During the day in New York, students got to take a ferry with the New York City skyline overview to the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. While exploring Ellis Island students were able to learn more about the history of immigration and correlate it back to what they learned in their English classes. Then the students took the ferry over to the Statue of Liberty and were given the option to climb it as well. To wrap up the long day, students took the subway over to Times Square and were then allowed to go exploring within the city. Which included shopping, eating dinner, touring the city, and witnessing stuff they may have never seen before.
Kiaha McCool explains the day trip for future Seniors who would be interested in attending, but first, she talks about Ellis Island.
“When we went to Ellis Island we were able to go off on our own and tour the immigration center. There was a lot there to look at and there was a cafeteria so we were able to sit down for a little and grab something to eat. Once we were done at Ellis Island, we took a ferry over to the Statue of Liberty and were able to take pictures and climb as far as we could go.”
The next and last part of the trip was exploring New York City (NYC) and what that all entailed.
“Once we were done, we hopped on to another ferry and headed to the main part of the city. We all took the metro to the inner part closer to Times Square and we were able to break off into our groups of friends and go shopping. We spent the whole day shopping and walking around the city, and by the time we were back on the bus, almost everyone was asleep” Kiaha said.
Every student that attended the field trip loved the experience, being in New York again or for the first time, eating delicious but expensive food, having the opportunity to spend a day out of school, being with friends and classmates, going shopping, and just having a fun eventful day.
Senior, Faith Bosciano, had a great time with her best friends on the trip and spent hundreds of dollars while shopping in New York City.
“It was fun and a good way to bond with my classmates and friends. Shopping in the city was my favorite part of the trip though” Faith said.
The teachers who chaperoned made the trip more enjoyable and eventful for everyone. The students loved having Mrs. Kreiger, Mr. Diehl, Mr. Myers, Mrs. Sandoval, and Mr. Virgilio on the journey, and kept them safe while having a good time.
“It was a great experience and the teachers made it fun,” said Faith Bosciano.
Every student that attended the field trip loved the experience, being in New York again or for the first time, eating delicious but expensive food, having the opportunity to spend a day out of school, being with friends, going shopping, and just having a fun eventful day.
