By Claire Newfeld

By far one of the most anticipated Tempe Prep experiences is the senior trip to Washington, D.C. This year, the trip took place from March 12-17 and was chaperoned by Mr. Sweet, Mrs. Melton, Mr. Figueroa, and Mrs. Simminger. The seniors had an extensive itinerary planned, and they enjoyed every minute.

Some of the destinations included the Library of Congress, Arlington National Cemetery, Ford’s Theatre, Gettysburg National Military Park, the Supreme Court, the Holocaust Museum, and the Smithsonian Museums.

When asked what her favorite place to visit on the trip, senior Caroline Burget said, “That’s a hard question because I had a lot of favorite things we did. I really liked being able to see all the different monuments and the White House and the Capitol building.”

One of the most valuable parts of senior trip is the independence. The students made good use of the Washington, D.C. area metro system to navigate around the city, and having your metro card on your person at all times became an absolute must. Often, students were given free time to travel the city and see sights with small groups, with the only guideline being a designated time and place to meet up again. Students quickly learned the etiquette and fast-paced vibe of the metro system, which was new to many of them (including myself).

In addition, seniors found the trip a great time to bond with friends before graduating. With four people per hotel room, it was easy to spend a lot of time together. Senior Sarah Faulkner said of her experience, “I really loved getting to know my classmates better in a long conversation that lasted four or five hours. It was amazing to have a deep conversation that lasted for so long and covered a wide range of topics.”

Ultimately, senior trip is a great experience for anyone. Whether you’re a food lover, history buff, or just love to spend time with friends and travel, you’ll have a fantastic time, and it’s a memory that you’ll cherish for a lifetime.