Jeremy Rubin
If you are in eighth grade at FMS, you are probably already planning for the Washington D.C. end-of-the-year trip! You will be busy planning who to share a room with, what to pack, and how to make the most of your time there. You have probably looked at the agenda and have some vague idea of what’s going on. However, to make this trip truly memorable, you need the inside scoop!
I have interviewed a few teachers and students as well as the mastermind behind the trip, Mrs. Bozza. The best tip that teachers and students gave was to wear comfortable shoes, as there is a lot of walking on the trip. So keep your flip flops at home everybody, and pack your favorite pair of well-worn sneakers. Another tip that was shared was to have extra water ready because it can be very hot in June. Also, keep an open and excited attitude when there’s so much to do and see! You want to keep it easy when it comes to packing. Don’t overpack, don’t panic, fold everything neatly, and you’ll be okay. In terms of clothing, a rain poncho is a good way to go to prepare for some early summer showers.
Teachers and students alike caution everyone going on the trip to be flexible and have an open mind. As Mrs. Satkowski said, “This is a big trip with lots of moving pieces. Sometimes the thing you think will be not so great ends up being the very best part. If you decide it will be fun, you'll have an amazing time!”
It may not come as a surprise that everyone interviewed had different favorites, though the dinner dance cruise was mentioned a few times. But let’s not forget that D.C. is packed with tons of living history and offers the opportunity to experience very powerful sights, including the Arlington National Cemetery, which was also mentioned as a favorite.
So, as you get ready for the trip, remember to have a positive, open attitude and take a lot of pictures! Mrs. Bozza is working extremely hard on organizing the rooms to make everyone happy, which she said is the hardest part of the whole trip, but well worth it. Remember to represent FMS well! I will see you all in June!