Future for annual trip to Mexico unclear with Rodriguex’s retirement in June

Like clockwork, every February break, students enrolled in the school’s Spanish program visit Cuernavaca, Mexico, as part of a cultural immersion program.

Students attend school at Bachillerato Internacional Uninter (BIU) during the day for six hours gaining proficiency in the language and spend the rest of the time sightseeing and attending fun events with their host families.

It’s unclear whether the trip will continue in the future since  Spanish teacher Arnaldo Rodriguex’s plans to retire in June and he has been the organizer of the trip for 44 years.

“If I don't return, someone else will have to do it, and I don't know if there is anybody who is willing to do that,” Rodriguex said. “If I’m not here next year, it’s possible that I could organize the trip if the school allows me to.”

Spanish teacher Sarah Voorhees said that if Rodriguex is unable to organize the trip in retirement, preparations would have to be split among other Spanish teachers.

Students such as senior Ryan Anderson who have visited Cuernavaca as part of the program think it would be a loss if kids in the Spanish program lose the chance to experience going to a Mexican school and interacting with Spanish speakers.

Rodriguex hopes that the trip would continue next year as part of the tradition of the Spanish program.

“My hope is that the program stays,” Rodriguex said. “I don’t want to see it dying, because I’ve been here in the district for 44 years and I started taking students abroad in my very first year.”