By Theresa O’Connor

   Coasting through California highways, walking along the sandy beach of Ventura, going on roller-coaster loop-de-loops: 33 TPA high-school students kicked-off their winter break with an adventure to Six Flags Magic Mountain. 

   Joined by teachers and faculty members, Mr. Keating, Mrs. Magana, Ms. Romero and Mrs. Mause, the excursion, coordinated by Mr. Lambros, was a huge hit for all who attended. 

   The group embarked from TPA on Dec. 18 for their six-hour road trip. For senior Anika Fretz, the experience was like a “girls trip” and their van played games such as Go Fish and Cards Against Humanity and watched scary movies along the way. 

   Before arriving in Ventura, the students drove through Hollywood Boulevard and passed by the iconic Walk of Fame and Madame Tussauds’ World’s Greatest Wax Museum. When they arrived at Ventura Beach later that evening, they all enjoyed the vibrant sunset scenery overlooking the ocean.        

   The students stayed overnight at La Quinta Ventura Beach Hotel and the next morning, they woke up early to grab Starbucks before heading to Magic Mountain in Valencia. Once all 33 students arrived at the park, they split up into groups and spent the next seven hours riding roller coasters, walking around the park and eating food. In the evening, the group enjoyed the nighttime aura of the park. 

   Anika says, “The park at night made it worthwhile. I described it as being like Zoolights but without all the crying toddlers. All the trees were lit at once right as the sun was setting, and they had bubble machines to make it feel like it was snowing.” 

   After a long day on their feet, the students left Magic Mountain and began their extended drive home to Arizona. Although they arrived exhausted early Tuesday morning, the students nevertheless enjoyed their winter break excursion.