Europe unforgettable, including the cab ride
Despite a trip filled with beautiful memories, incredible food, teaching moments, and the joy of touring some of Europe’s most notable sites, Juanita Lopez will talk first about a cab ride.
When Lopez, a foreign language teacher at Eisenhower High School, arrived with her tour group at the train station in Nice, France, she noticed that a suitcase, the one full of souvenirs, was missing.
In less than 90 minutes, the group of nearly 20 Eisenhower teachers, students and parents would leave on a bullet train for Paris. She had to decide: Could a cab get her to the hotel – a 45-minute drive — and back in time?
“I refused to leave the suitcase, so I took a cab back to the hotel knowing that the group was probably going to leave on the bullet train without me. The suitcase had all of the souvenirs that (fellow teacher) Mark Urban and I had purchased over the last nine days,” Lopez said.
Against the tour director’s advice, she took off for the hotel on a quest straight from Mission Impossible.
“The cab ride was nerve racking and something out of the movies. I paid 105 euro (160 USD) for the cab ride! I literally got to the train station as everyone was putting their bags on and taking their seats. I slept the entire seven hours on the train,” Lopez said.
The majority of the trip included unforgettably positive experiences. Teacher Katie Reed emphasized that traveling with teenagers only enhanced the tour.
“Traveling with the students was great. I loved seeing how excited they were each time they saw something new during those 12 days. We received nothing but positive comments from our fellow adult travelers about how respectful and flexible the students were,” said Reed, also a foreign language instructor.
“We were grouped with students from North Carolina and Texas. Our students were just so nice. They made friends with the other kids and included them in everything they did. They became friends and they all got along. We received compliments on our kids’ behavior from other group. I was so proud of our kids,” Lopez said.
The students’ backgrounds in language and history proved more than useful.
“Because the students had taken history, French, and Spanish classes, they connected that knowledge to the historical places where they were standing. And that’s the best way to learn,” Reed said.
Across nearly two weeks, the Eisenhower group visited Siena, Rome, Florence, and Pompeii; Monaco; Nice and Paris.
“We had great weather and record heat while in Paris. Since Paris was our last stop, we were exhausted,” Lopez said.
Favorite stops included Siena, Italy, and Monaco.
“Monaco was just gorgeous. We went to this fortress-like part of Monaco along the Mediterranean Sea that was just beautiful. The views were just amazing. The royal wedding (Charlene and Phillip) was going to take place the following weekend so we got to see the preparations in front of the royal palace. It was pretty cool,” Lopez said.
Of course, any trip to Europe features the opportunity to sample the cuisine.
“In Florence, we went to this small restaurant with three tables. Mom was cooking in the kitchen, dad was prepping food by the tables, and the son was taking orders. Our tour director, Vittorio Agosti, set up a reservation for us to have lunch. People were turned away as we sat there enjoying the best meal I’ve ever had in Europe,” Lopez said.
Top 10 from Eisenhower set to shine
By Bob McParland
Eisenhower High School in Blue Island proudly announces that the students listed below compiled the 10 highest grade point averages for the class of 2011. Each has earned Honors with Distinction, the highest academic recognition category, for compiling a grade point average exceeding 4.0 all four years at Eisenhower.
Amanni Bitay – A volunteer for both his church and in the community, Amanni played basketball and ran track at Eisenhower. Next year he will attend Howard University.
Nicholas Castro – A senior mentor and member of National Honor Society, Nicholas also participated in Mathletes, baseball, basketball and golf. He will attend Illinois State University in the fall but has not yet chosen a major.
Kiana Coffey – Co-editor of literary magazine and manager for stage crew, Kiana also participated in Spanish Club, TV crew, and Youth and Government and earned selection to Quill and Scroll (journalism honors). She will begin studies in communications next fall at the University of South Florida.
Guillermo Colin – A member of Mathletes, Guillermo earned selection to Mu Alpha Theta (math honors) and competed in football, tennis and track for the Cardinals. Next fall he will begin studies in mechanical engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Jessie DeVries – Captain of the cheerleading team, Jessie also participated in show choir, Mathletes, and National Honor Society. She will begin studies in business next fall at Loyola University Chicago.
Sigifredo Esparza – Senior class vice president and captain of the swim team, Sigifredo also participated in student council, Bird Cage (student cheer section), soccer, volleyball, and National Honor Society. He will begin studies in computer engineering next fall at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Leo Gonzalez – A member of National Honor Society, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Mathletes and Key Club, Leo will begin studies in architecture next fall at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Autumn Jennings – Sports editor for the student newspaper, president of Key Club, and secretary for National Honor Society, Autumn also participated in Performance-in-the-Round and earned selection to Quill and Scroll (journalism honors). Next fall she will begin studies in secondary education and journalism at Lake Forest College.
Crystal Martinez – A senior mentor and member of Key Club, next fall Crystal will begin studies at St. Xavier University.
Steven Naegele – President of Science Club, Steven also participated in Mathletes, Art Club, and literary magazine. Next year he will begin studies in meteorology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Luis Palacios – Captain of the volleyball team, Luis will begin studies in architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology next fall.
CONGRATULATIONS To You All And Best Of Luck!
District to sponsor Back to School Health Fair
on August 5
Numerous medical facilities and government agencies will join District 218 on Friday, August 5 in hosting a Back to School Health Fair at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island.
The event, which will run from noon to 4 p.m., will feature school physicals for $40; immunizations for $10; comprehensive eye exams for $40; and, free dental exams.
The event also includes free vision screenings and free health screens for blood pressure, bone density, body glucose, and others. MetroSouth Medical Center, Advocate Christ Medical Center, the St. Xavier University health center, Orland Park Dental, and Smile, Illinois, are among the many health care facilities providing services.
The fair includes free food, drinks and free school supplies. For young children, the fair will feature free games and Safety Town, a small scale cityscape that reminds kids how to avoid potential traffic hazards. The Cook County Sheriff will present Safety Town, while the Blue Island Fire Department will provide demonstration of equipment and vehicles.
Eisenhower is located at 12700 S. Sacramento Avenue. Admission is free to the fair, which is designed for families of elementary, middle and high school students living in District 218 communities.
For more information, please visit www.chsd218.org.