For many, spring break is a time for catching up on homework or enjoying some much-needed relaxation. For 26 juniors and seniors, however, April 17-22 was an adventure like no other.
Dubbed the “Wild West Trip,” this adventure-filled trek around Utah was history teacher Matt Torrens’s fifth trip, which he schedules every other year. Students explored both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, in addition to participating in a variety of other activities.
“There was never a dull moment on the trip,” junior Christine Xue said. “I had a lot of fun.”
Students participated in activities such as mountain biking, rappelling and hiking throughout the trip. In addition, they hiked out to the crash site of a B-52 and visited an abandoned coal mine.
“It was interesting to learn about the history behind some of the places that we visited,” Xue said. “I especially liked riding the Jeeps.”
An activity dubbed “jeeping” afforded several students the opportunity of driving a car with manual transmission, which many students had not previously done.
“[Driving stick shift] was super stressful,” junior Moriah Chermak said. “I managed to drive down some pretty bad terrain and I was proud that I didn’t kill us all.”
Another highlight for the students was visiting Monticello High, a small rural high school which Torrens used to teach at.
“[Monticello High] is a lot less academic than Saratoga is,” Chermak said. “I think the most shocking things were that prairie dog shooting is a viable date option and that prom bids only cost $15 for a couple.”
For senior Connie Wang, the visit to Monticello was also an eye-opening experience.
“The things that the students do for fun are really extreme,” Wang said. “They blow stuff up for fun and take the girls paintballing before prom.”
Students stayed in both Moab and Salt Lake City and were accompanied by teachers Bret Yeilding, Kerry Mohnike, Rick Ellis and Torrens. The six-day trip was open to both juniors and seniors.
According to Torrens, the trip was another success.
“We traveled almost 900 miles in rental vans, ate almost 100 granola bars, and broke one Jeep,” Torrens said. “The activities were memorable and the history was sexy.”
Attendees of the trip echoed similar enthusiasm.
”If you get the chance to take the trip, take it,” Chermak said. “It is a blast.”
