Greece 2025, by Gram Malone and Max Miller

Our Greece service trip has been fantastic so far. From the first moment, we've been immersed in meaningful work, great food, and bonding experiences. Every day has brought new challenges, laughs, and a growing sense of connection to the people around us. 

One of the greatest things about our trip has been helping out with Seeds of Humanity, a charity organization that assists refugees and their families. We helped out painting the walls of the children's playroom for a couple of days, which gave the room vibrant color and new style. We have felt very gratified that the hard work we have done has created a happy and welcoming environment for the kids.  We also completed the task of rearranging all the shelves with art supplies and books. Although the task took time, the sense of organization we left behind made it worthwhile. 

Greek food has also not disappointed. Every meal has tasted euphoric and delicious. The tzatziki here is unbelievably good, creamy and garlicky with just the right flavor from the yogurt and cucumbers. Sharing meals together after a long day of work has created a feeling of joy. At this time, we reflect on what we’ve accomplished and enjoy good laughs. 

The highlight of the week was our pottery class. It was a dirty experience, but we all embraced the mess and had a blast sculpting and painting pots and plates. It was great to be reminded that life can be messy yet still fun. 

At night, the group chills in the lobby and plays cards. We play and laugh through the late hours of the night. 

This trip has been less about the work but rather connecting with a new culture and the people around us. We've learned to take in and enjoy our surroundings while also understanding that our hard work benefits many people. We are excited for what Greece has to offer and the journey ahead of us.

March 11: Belize ... What a Day!

 

A Poem, by Hank Smith

Civilizations photographed in pictures

Stones piled up in towers

For Mayans, no room for cowards.

Chocolate drinks that taste sour.

Steps climbed to reach a destination

Limestone and stones to preserve civilization

Deities worshipped by a nation

Gods of water and creation.

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to meet with Belizean drummers who shared the culture and thoughts on spirituality. Their takes on Religion and spirituality were very interesting and insightful. In their culture, they believed that everyone is modeled from the natural word. For example, our bodies are composed of about 70% water, which happens to be the same percentage of water that makes up the earth. He also talked about how their religious figures in their culture are mainly female. They believe that our creater has many maternal aspects. (Mother Earth). Over all it was a very enriching experience, and I can't wait to learn more about Belizean culture.

Authentic Fry Jacks and Original Art

 

Want to know how to make an authentic Belizean dish that is scrumptious and fun?  Fortunately, William Guo took careful notes at yesterday's cooking class!

Guo’s (via his friends in Belize) Fabulous Fry Jacks
feeds 22 hungry kids and adults

• dump 10 cups of flour into a bowl
• add 3 tablespoons of baking powder into the bowl and mix— baking powder can be used to help with stomach aches
• add 1 tablespoon of salt
• add ½ cup of shortening and kneed until crumbly
• make a crater in the center of the mixture and dump into the crater, similar to making pasta
• stretch it into a long log, similar to making dumplings
• flatten outwards then roll it inwards
• repeat around 5 times
• grab out chunks
• roll into balls by pinching the edge and folding into the center of your palm
• roll along a flat surface to close the folds
• begin to stretch out the ball like pizza
• slice into 2 halves
• fry in scalding hot oil for 30 seconds on each side

Man on Horse in Water,

A Reflection from a Day at the Beach

by Jack Buntin

Catching Up with our Friends in Greece, by Santiago Fuisz, Nathan Hersel and Oleg Borousov

Under the guidance of our incredible guide Xristina, we explored Greece to the absolute fullest. Whether it was sensational food like Crete-Style BBQ or the ultimate traditional baklava or long tours through the Parthenon and Acropolis, this trip has been a truly life changing experience. 

The consensus highlight was our day trip through the many smaller adjacent islands of Athens. Even though we had to be ready to go at six in the morning, we knew that we were in for a special day. It was our third full day in Greece, and we had a three-island cruise to some of Greece’s most beautiful islands. 

After some relaxing time aboard the ship, we arrived at our first of three destinations: the beautiful island of Hydra. Although we only had half an hour to explore the island, we made the most of it by hiking up to a church overlooking a city to take in the sublime views. The island looks like it is frozen in time: it features traditional Mediterranean architecture and winding, cobblestone streets that are too narrow to accommodate cars. The island’s many stray cats and domestic donkeys only add to its quaint charm. The more we wandered through this incredible city, the more it became apparent to us that Greece was simply different.

Art, Poetry, Manual Labor and a Bit More

 

By Tyler Roh

Belize.

by Asa Master

The sunlight beams across my face.

The breeze gusts through the open space.

Sweat drips down my hair and nose.

We work grueling hours, will it end?  Who knows.

The sky is beautiful, and the clouds are clear.

We shovel and shovel together as peers.

The children come out, and soccer we play.

We spend the time eating a treat.  What a wonderful day.

While we don't know tomorrow, we do know today.

The sky shines bright as we laugh and play.

The coconuts stray high in the trees.

I can't wait to explore Belize!

Day 3, March 9, 2025

by Barton Keane

Woke up around 7:20, ate breakfast that was eggs, tortillas, fruit and pork.  Went to work around 8-ish and worked for quite a while.  Then we went home to eat, which was chicken and rice.  Then we went back to work, and worked for about an hour.  Then we played on the playground, and I did a back flip off of a swing, which absolutely messed up my ankle.  I saw Mikai playing soccer with the kids, so all of us joined in and played a game.  We then went and got ice cream, and I got a banana split.  We then went home, and Kai and I swam in the pool.  Then we had dinner, which consisted of pasta and salad.  Now we are sitting in a group talking about our day.

By Mac D'Addario

A Poem

by Evan Xu

The sun shines bright.

The sun shines hot.

While we fight

and die from the heat

what we've done is a great feat.

We paint and paint.

We shovel and shovel.

While some may faint,

we don't give up.

It is great fun

under the sun.

Tomorrow will be great

as if it is fate.

Belize Day 1: Welcome to Billy White and Chocolate Making

This year’s 9th and 10th grade spring break trip is to Belize! 

Entry 1:

The first day was extremely rewarding in the sense that we felt that we did a good enough job with service. Additionally, being in Belize makes you realize how much you take for granted. For example, while access to water is always there, portable drinking water is not as common, which is something you wouldn’t normally think is a privilege. To change the mood, seeing the creativity in the architectural designs of the homes, you tend to realize how bland the U.S homes are. Also, seeing how kind, respectful, and welcoming the community is, knowing we know nothing of their culture, made me feel included. This day was amazing, and I can’t wait to continue to explore Belize. - Asa Master

Entry 2: 

Some pictures from chocolate making!