On a cold, blustery day in February 2009, a Grace Prep Air School blew into the Big Apple. Our bus journey took us through the Lincoln Tunnel and past Ground Zero to Battery Park. Eagerly, our students disembarked from the bus and van to board the ferry to Ellis Island where students and chaperones alike soaked up the history of America’s ‘huddled masses, yearning to be free.’ Making the trip especially memorable, some were even able to investigate their own family histories. After we finished our tour and some of us visited the gift shop, we began our trek back to Manhattan.

At this point, we decided to split up into groups to pursue various adventures. Bob led an expedition to Korea Town where we found some amazing Asian cuisine. Some of our Korean students helped guide the Americans in our group through the menu to the delight of our palettes. Other students looked out onto Times Square from the second level of the ESPN Zone. Still others enjoyed the sumptuous fare of the Hard Rock Café. After stuffing ourselves, we meandered along Broadway, anticipating the day’s highlight.

Finally, we converged at the Gershwin Theater to enjoy a stellar performance of the Broadway prequel to The Wizard of Oz—Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz. The cherry on the top of our wonderful day was being able to meet with some of the cast members after the show. Then we settled back on the bus for the ride home. Upon arriving at the school, some students went home. Others found places to sleep in our building—girls in the sanctuary—boys in a classroom. Still others joined Dave in the gym for a rousing game of dodge ball. Our Winter Air School 2009 was a trip to remember!

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