PHOTO: AMY KONEN
“Hearing the students communicate in Spanish and immersing themselves in the language was the biggest reward for me.” – MS Spanish teacher Linda Sandoval
Peru
PHOTO: AMY KONEN
For six students who spent nine days in Peru, the adventure was the experience of a lifetime. Calhoun’s explorers traveled to Lima and Cuzco, testing their Spanish-language skills all along the way. “Visiting the ancient city of Machu Picchu and the Convento de San Francisco was certainly a window into the rich Peruvian culture,” says MS Spanish teacher Linda Sandoval, who led the trip along with MS art teacher Amy Konen. “Most important, hearing the students communicate in Spanish was certainly the biggest reward for me.” In an example of Calhoun’s commitment to being a private school with a public purpose, Linda and Amy wove a communityservice component into the stay. It turned out to be the highlight of the trip. The students visited an orphanage in Cuzco, and quickly connected with the children. They danced, played soccer and ultimately gained an understanding into how drastically different life can be for someone their age. “It was a very emotional day,” says Linda. “Our kids stepped up and were so humble and friendly. Amy and I were teary-eyed seeing this side of our students—watching them recognize how privileged and lucky they are and then giving back the way they did.” (Far top) Soren Hixon ’18 jumps rope at an orphanage in Cuzco. (Above) Eighth graders Rea Brayshaw, Kai Petkov, Oummu Barrie, Matthew Vasquez, Lindsay Jackman and Soren Hixon strike a pose in front of a church in Miraflores, Lima. (Right) A visit to the ancient city of Machu Picchu was one these eighth graders will never forget!
CALHOUN CHRONICLE