The trip that so many students at WCHS have anticipated finally arrived, on March 17, 2009, when WCHS seniors left on a week-long trip to the Dominican Republic. While there, seniors ministered to sugarcane villages; helped out at medical clinics; and, of course, visited beaches, Catalina Island, and did shopping in Santo Domingo. Seniors returned on Thursday March 26, 2009, just in time for spring break.This year, out of the 82 seniors, 56 participated in the trip. Those who did not attend were required to do a community service project.
Seniors were placed into various groups for the flights down, with flight connections in Miami, FL and Chicago. Once in the Dominican, seniors traveled to the SCORE complex, their “home” for the week; had dinner; and relaxed by the beach.
This year, the group held three medical clinics (one at an orphanage, two in villages) -- which helped 400 people.
Joining the seniors were two doctors and two nurses. Over $100,000 in medical supplies and equipment was donated to the effort! Seniors also went into four villages and were able to feed 295 families. All together, over $6,000 was donated from various students and families to “Feed the Village.” Also established was a benevolence fund for local church deacons to use for their village in case of food emergencies.
Seniors did ministry in two different orphanages. 12th grader Emily Garber commented on her experience, exclaiming “The Dominican was amazing! The little kids were great!”
One of the ways our seniors ministered at the orphanage was by putting on a puppet show for the kids. Additionally, over 100 kids were seen in the medical clinic that took place at the orphanage.
Lindsey Petrel, senior, gave this reporter an enthusiastic comment on her experience: “Senior trip was amazing! You have to go next year!” Evidently, the trip down to the Dominican Republic is what students look forward to most in their senior year, next to graduating.
WCHS Bible teacher Dr. Buzz Inboden, who’s gone to the Dominican with previous senior classes, commented on his experience: “This trip was more serious. This class was more focused and better prepared. Senior trip was about missions, not ‘It’s our senior trip; let’s have fun and do some missions.’”
11th grader Sara Katula commented on what she looks forward to when she attends next year: “I’m really excited: and I hope to get a rewarding experience, and that it will open my eyes to new things.”When asked about what about what he thinks next year’s trip with the class of 2010 will be like, Dr. Buzz smiles and says “There’s no doubt that the class of ’10 will be just as focused as this class.”
