Journalism Students Tour New York

Recently a group of Van High School Journalism students made the trip of a lifetime when they traveled to New York City during the Christmas holiday break.

"This trip was a multimedia experience for the kids. We spent the first day going to museums like the National Museum of History and the Museum of Moving Images, touring photography exhibits, seeing the NBC studio, Radio City Music Hall and Paly’s Museum of Broadcasting," said Van High School Journalism Teacher Jeanette Germany.

Germany said the students also ice skated in Central Park where they took over 1,000 photographs. And they attended the Broadway production of Lion Ding, visited Grand Central Station, the Apple Store, Rockefeller Center and the Empire State Building.

"The students were also cleared to climb to the top of the Statue of Liberty to view the sights from the crown," said Germany.

Several students also participated in the New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square where they had a close up view of the ball drop after waiting 12 hours.

"We were also in the audience for Good Morning America and were televised nationally with Ryan Seacrest. Students got a behind the scenes look at the production of a news show production," said Germany.

"We are so grateful to everyone who helped make this dream of going to New York City come true. The students were able to see first hand the world of journalism, from being on the set of Good Morning America to visiting the Museum of Moving Images and the International Center of Photography, and from being exposed to the culture of Broadway to being in the midst of the action on Times Square during New Year’s Eve. It was an amazing opportunity and such a blessing for these students," said Germany.

"It was cool to see the different cultures living in New York City and I loved seeing Mary Poppins on Broadway," said student Sarah Clark.

"Being in Times Square and watching the ball drop on New Year’s Eve was amazing. This is a memory I will always treasure," said student Kasi Dickerson.

Students making the trip included Sarah Clark, Kasi Dickerson, Ryan Wigley, Jordan Ruiz, Ryan Parham, Amy King, Leslie Chastain, Macy Moore, Weston McFarlin, Grayson McFarlin, Paul Ambler, Victor Davidson, Colby Stanberry, D.J. Dutton, Elizabeth Wisdom and Shyanne Thompson.

Trip sponsors included Germany, Judy McFarlin, Robyn Clark, Jill Dutton, David Dutton, Theresa Stanberry, Wanda West and Ryan McInturff.

"This was an awesome experience for these kids. I’m glad it was so well organized and the parents, students and sponsors all had positive feedback from the trip," said Van High School Principal Keith Murphy.