As history teacher Robin Grenz stood on the beaches of Normandy where the allied soldiers had landed so many years ago, she took in the graves of those who had died there, feeling the weight of history on her shoulders.
Over spring break, some students and faculty took an unforgettable school trip across Europe, covering World War II. The group left for their trip on Thursday, March 13, and returned on March 23.
During their time in Europe, they visited the site of D-Day in Normandy, France, as well as France’s capital city, Paris.
“Normandy was special because it’s where the soldiers landed on June 6th, 1944,” Grenz said. “We also visited the cemetery where soldiers who died during the landings are buried. It was a really emotional experience.”
Senior Grayson McFarlan was amazed by the majestic Eiffel Tower and how the scale of the monument was way bigger than she could have imagined. The surprising history behind its construction astonished her.
“It was moving to see the renovations almost complete and still in use,” McFarlan said. “It felt historical but also very alive.”
Throughout their trip, the group also visited London, United Kingdom.
“London was incredible,” Grenz said. “The Churchill War Rooms and the Imperial War Museum were key stops because they gave us so much information about World War II, which was the main focus of the trip.”
The Churchill War Rooms, where Winston Churchill made important decisions during the war, stood out to her because they were underground, adding to the sense of history that was felt throughout the war rooms.
Grenz also mentioned the unique experience at Bastogne, Belgium, the site of a major battle during the war, where they were able to get a firsthand walkthrough.
“In Bastogne, we had a local guide who had lived through the war,” Grenz said. “He shared his memories of the battle, which made it feel real.”
When visiting Berlin, Germany, students were able to feel the emotions and weight of WWII at sites such as the Berlin Wall and the Topography of Terror museum.
The group also had the opportunity to visit Cologne Cathedral in Germany, which was a magnificent structure made entirely out of stone.
“The cathedral is massive and made of stone,” Grenz said. “The details and architecture are incredible and I couldn’t help but imagine the people who built it and the time and effort it took to complete.”
The trip ended with a visit to Sauchsenhasuen, the site of a WWII concentration camp in Germany. The camp started as a political prisoner camp before becoming a concentration camp, and it now serves as a place where German police are trained, with a strong focus on human dignity. The concentration camp showed students the struggle and hardships many had to endure throughout WWII.
Before the trip, Grenz only knew three three of the students, but that definitely changed when they returned to the US.
“By the end of the trip, we all became really good friends,” Grenz said. “We all bonded, and even the teachers and parents who came with us became a cohesive group.”
McFarlan shared how she made new friends and how the trip had such a positive impact on her and provided her with new opportunities.
“Once you spend almost two weeks with 16 people in close quarters, it’s hard not to become close,” McFarlan noted. “I made a lot of new friends and got to know people better, which was really nice.”
For both students and faculty, the trip was not only educational but also a chance to bond over shared experiences and gain a deeper understanding of history.