We and Our Luggage Made It … Finally

After a long but good trip from Nashville to New York to Paris and finally (and barely due to LONG lines in immigration) to Athens, we got settled at the London Hotel, met our hosts and got some sleep.  Unfortunately, the trip for our luggage didn’t go as smoothly.  Out of the 20 bags we checked, 19 were left in France.  Never fear!  Air France provided everyone with toothbrushes, a t-shirt and razors, which of course went unused, and they delivered our luggage before noon today.

Today brought cold but sunny weather and a nice walk around our neighborhood.  Glyfada was once the home of a U.S. military base and now is a lovely area near the sea.  Shops, coffee shops, hotels, and beautiful homes make the area a great place to stay. For those feline lovers among us there are cats roaming everywhere!  

Juniors and Seniors Are Heading to Greece!

We’ve made it through security.  Ms. Williams has answered the same questions repeatedly.  Food has been eaten. Passenger Locator Forms have been completed.  Dr. Cirillo is his usual helpful and calm self, and Coach Redmond has already had to have a second cup of coffee.  Now to get on the plane to NYC!

MBA Students are Ready for the DR!

 The Dominican Republic Trip has finally arrived! After a long absence, MBA students will make a triumphant return to the town of Cielo where they will continue their relationship with Mission Emmanuel, a Christian ministry service. Students, who are interested in foreign cultures and the Spanish language, will participate in a variety of service efforts including community projects, home builds, and cultural interactions. In addition, thanks to the generosity of the MBA student body, the group will bring a variety of donations including medical supplies and sporting goods to distribute to the Cielo citizens. This trip will offer a unique opportunity for students to meet new people and help those who are less fortunate. Along with that, it will provide a chance to learn “more about the culture” which is a common desire amongst the travelers. Likewise, MBA students are looking forward to developing their Spanish speaking skills in the native culture and creating strong friendships with the people of Cielo. In preparation for takeoff, much excitement is felt and students are anxious to begin this experience. Keep a lookout for more blog posts as students await their many adventures to come!

Meet the Travelers

Charlie Coles, Alexander Reddy, Jude Bueno, Gabe Ramon, Liam Hackett, Gavin Pease, Maine Billings, Liam Eadie, Terran Davis, Landon Clements, Conrad Wade, Cooper Coleman, Will Hardy, Jack Lockamy, Sam Hall, Carter Plato, Jes Johnson, Richard Aylward, Claiborne Tompkins, Hank Cooke, Owen Hall, Colin Hande, Ike Cooper, Elias Franks, Noam Friedman, Reed Rzasnicki, Bryan Keane, Lyon Playfair, Tommy Bartholomew, Hite Brown, Hughes Roddey, Fletcher Shirley, Emmett Casteel, Hunter Wieck, Boston Beach, Baker Jennings, Henry Ambrose, John Switzer, Lars Dabrowiak, Jack Gannon

Meet the Chaperones

Camille Hackney, Robert Sawyer, Travonte Easley, Emeka Nnadi, Lakresha Belcher, Tamika Nnadi

DR 2022 Donation Drive Starts March 1st!

After two long years, we will finally get to return to the Dominican Republic and see our friends in the community of Cielo. Like previous years, we are hosting a donation drive for medical supplies and new or gently used sports equipment. Please drop off any of the following items in the BIG BOX in the Ball Building Foyer. 

Everyday needs: 

• Medical-grade non-latex gloves (size medium and large) 

• Albendazol suspensions 

• Amoxicillin suspensions 

• Antibiotic cream (Bacitracin, Neosporin, etc.) 

• Antifungal creams (Tolnaftate, Clotrimazole, etc.) 

• Asthma medicines - nebulizers, inhalers, etc. 

• Baby formula (with and without iron) 

• Children’s acetaminophen chewables 

• Children’s acetaminophen drops 

• Children’s cold and cough medicines Children’s flu medicines 

• Children’s vitamins 

• Diaper rash (A&D) cream

• Diapers (all sizes) 

• Hand sanitizer 

• Hydrocortisone cream 

• Ibuprofen suspensions and tablets 

• Ziploc bags 

Emergency supplies (needed in smaller quantities): 

• Nylon Sutures (2.0, 3.0, and 5.0) 

• Chrome Sutures (2.0, 3.0) • Suture kits 

• Suture removal kits 

• Hydrocortisone injections 

• Dramamine injections 

• Dramamine suppositories 

• Epinephrine injections 

Sports equipment needed: 

• New or gently used deflated soccer balls, basketballs, footballs. 

• New or gently used baseball gloves, bats. 

Let’s fill the big box to the top!

Trips Canceled Due to COVID-19

Dear MBA families:

Over the past week we have discussed our spring break trips, both domestic and international.  Unfortunately, we feel the best course of action would be to postpone or cancel the trips to London, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic.  We regret these decisions, but we believe it is the best and appropriate course of action for the welfare of our students, staff, and families.

Our trip leaders will be communicating with students and families about these trips as soon as possible.

At this point our four trips domestically for the chorus and baseball, soccer, and lacrosse teams will go as planned unless the CDC or other state or national organizations suggest otherwise.

Sincerely - Brad Gioia, Headmaster

 P.S.  We hope to offer some service opportunities during spring break in Nashville, particularly related to the damage of this week’s tornadoes. We will pass on more details about this in the coming days.    

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Thomas McRae Reflects on Life in Castro's Cuba

“Cuba and the Cameraman” is a film about a journalist, Jon Alpert, who goes to Cuba periodically for 45 years. The film shows the evolution of the Cuban revolution through a peasant family, two normal Cuban citizen families, and several interviews with Fidel Castro himself. This film makes the good, bad, and grey aspects of the Cuban revolution personal for any viewer because of the relationships formed by Alpert and the Cuban people. 

Before watching this film, I had always heard various vague conjectures about the politics surrounding Cuba, but I had never grasped a real understanding of what was happening. I chose this film because I thought a documentary would be the best way to get an unbiased assessment and understanding of the history of the country I am visiting. The film did just that. Not only did it show me the various stages of the Cuban revolution, but it also gave me a sense of personal connection to the people he interviewed for over 45 years. 

Most especially, I felt very close to the three farming brothers. It was hard to see the brothers struggle after the Soviet Union collapsed and people looted their home and killed their animals. The film gave me an opinion about Cuba, rather than some generic facts that I could use in conversation. 

I'm now extremely excited to go see Cuba. I'm curious as to how the public services, like hospitals and schools, are doing. I am also curious to see how the death of Fidel Castro has affected the nation. In all I cannot wait to visit Cuba and see what the Cameraman saw!

Cuba Blog Entries Start TODAY

In preparation for our Spring Break trip to Cuba, each student traveler will read or watch a work related to Cuba.  They have been asked then to offer a brief summary of what they read/watched and to reflect on how that work has influenced their views on Cuba, on the trip, on what they hope to see or experience on our trip or something else along these lines.

Below you will find the first entry, a reflection on Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea from Breckinridge Curnutte.

While The Old Man and the Sea is not directly based on Cuba or its history, it is centered around the deep culture that Cuba possesses and the passionate people that reside there. It is a story about resilience, honor, and pride. These themes run deep in Cuban blood. I think that while the culture that resides in movie stars and musicians from Cuba is prominent and interesting, the personal stories and emotions that reside in the working class are much more powerful and meaningful. From what I’ve read, I’ve derived that Cuban culture is intensely based on honor, perseverance, and determination. Viewing first hand the rich culture built by these character traits is what I most look forward to. 

Santiago’s battle with the great marlin can be thought of as parallel to the numerous hardships the Cuban peoples have undergone in the last hundred years. Cuba is now left with deep scars in its economy, government, and culture. I think stepping away from the bubble we live in is important; furthermore, to step away from the bubble that follows us as students is even more important. I think it’s easy to go on a trip to a foreign place or country and not take in the parts of that place that make it unique. I’d like to meet and experience everything Cuba has to offer and meet the Santiagos and the Manolins. 

Ernest Hemingway, the author of The Old Man and the Sea, spent a lot of his time in his home in Cuba. It was a place full of inspiration for him. He found that it was easy to write with the intrinsic creativity and culture of Cuba. I cannot wait to deepen my understanding of the world, take advantage of the creative atmosphere that is omnipresent there, and interact with the people of Cuba. The process of reading and researching this book, Cuba, and Hemingway has made me even more curious about Cuba and I cannot wait to go.