Untold Stories of DDS: Issue 18

OCT 2025

ISSUE N.18

DAVIDSON DAY UPPER SCHOOL NEWS MAGAZINE

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UNTOLD STORIES OF DDS 9TH WEST VIRGINIA 10TH GEORGIA 11TH TENNESSEE 12TH SOUTH CAROLINA

FALL 2025 UPPER SCHOOL CLASS TRIPS

9TH GRADE CLASS TRIP: ADVENTURES ON THE GORGE (WEST VIRGINIA)

BY LILLIAN RUTTER, CLASS OF 2027

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s the bus rumbled up the winding gravel road, excitement buzzed through the air.

Davidson Day’s freshman class of 2029 had officially arrived at Adventures on the Gorge in Lansing, West Virginia, kicking off their three-day class trip in the wilderness.

Tucked away near the New River Gorge National Park, the trip promised a full itinerary of adventure, bonding, and unforgettable memories.

Each day, students chose two out of three outdoor activities: a ropes course, a scenic hike, or laser tag, with everyone coming together for a group whitewater rafting adventure on one of the days.

“You could do the ropes course, hike, or laser tag,” explained freshman Jennings Rutter. “I picked the ropes course and the hike. The ropes course was actually Photo credit: Laura Woods easier than I thought it would be, but way more fun than I expected. My friends and I ended up hanging out on it for a while. The hardest part was definitely trying to get yourself untangled after clipping into a new rope or zipline, but we were laughing the whole time.” The hike provided a great way to get some exercise while enjoying the scenes and nature of West Virginia. “The hike was one of my favorite parts,” she said. “I had

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never seen views like that before. There were huge overlooks, cliffs, and views of the forest and river. We were able to walk, talk, take pictures, and just enjoy being outdoors was nice. It didn’t feel rushed or like we had to follow a strict schedule, which I liked.”

Unlike traditional class trips that might include museum tours or multiple bus rides to different locations, this trip was all about immersing the students in one place and letting them truly experience it. “What made it really different from other class trips I’ve been on was that we had a lot more flexibility,” Jennings said. “We weren’t on the bus constantly going from stop to stop. We got to stay in one place and settle in. It just felt more laid-back and more fun. Honestly, out of the four class trips I’ve been on at Davidson Day, this one was definitely my favorite.”

On the day of white water rafting, all students geared up in life jackets for the big trip down the Gauley River. “I had been whitewater rafting before with my family on the Nantahala River in western North Carolina,” Jennings said, “but going with my friends this time made it a totally different experience.

We were all hyping each other up, getting splashed, and just having fun with it. At one point, we even jumped off this huge rock into the water, which ended up being super fun.”

With beautiful views, thrilling outdoor activities, and time to connect with classmates in a new setting, the freshman class trip to Adventures on the Gorge offered more than just a break from school; it gave students an opportunity to build memories and friendships that will last long after they return home.

Even though the trip was packed with outdoor adventures, students also enjoyed plenty of down time, something Jennings and many others really appreciated. “I was surprised by how much free time we got,” she said. “We weren’t being rushed from one thing to the next. We had time to relax, explore the site, walk around, and just be with our friends. We went swimming in the pool, hung out at the overlooks, and roasted marshmallows for s’mores around the campfire. We did the bonfire with the teachers and went right outside the boys cabin to hang out and watch football. It was fun to hang out as a big group!” Students stayed in cabins on site, which further immersed them in all the aspects of a campsite. “I liked staying in cabins with my classmates,” Jennings said. “The people I stayed with, like Gabi (Schlesinger), Caroline (Cerminara), Elizabeth (French), are my friends outside of school too, so it was fun just getting to spend time in the mountains with my best friends.”

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Photo credit: Laura Woods

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SOPHOMORE CLASS TRIP TO SAVANNAH, GA

BY CAOMI SILVA, , CLASS OF 2028

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his year’s sophomore class trip combined service, learning, and fun as students traveled to Savannah, Georgia, where they volunteered with the local YMCA, toured historic sites such as a lighthouse, enjoyed time at the beach, and relaxed at the arcade and bowling alley. The experience aimed to bring the students closer together while giving them a hands-on look at community impact, teamwork, and local history. For many, the trip offered a rare opportunity to step away from school routines and connect with classmates in new and meaningful ways.

The trip began early on the morning of Wednesday, September 17th, as the buses rolled out of the school parking lot. During their time in Savannah, students volunteered with the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club, helping local kids with homework, playing games with them, helping with community Photo Credit: Laura Woods service projects, and celebrating achievements within the club. Teachers and chaperones noted that the trip wasn't just about sight-seeing but also about fostering empathy and awareness of different communities. Many students found that spending time with younger children taught them patience, communication skills, and the power of simple kindness.

In reflecting on the trip, students remember it as a mix of learning, service, and unforgettable fun. “The lighthouse was fun,” said Sean Rodeseiler, “seeing the actual house the light keeper lived in and all of the original furniture was so cool.” Sean also enjoyed the time he spent with his friends “playing football on the beach.” For Caroline McGraw, the experience stood out for how it combined friendship and service. “It was nice to be with my friends while helping people in need, especially at the Boys and Girls club,” she said. “We all learned so much about each other through the trip and made new connections we wouldn't have made just in our classes at school.”

Even when not volunteering, the group made the most of every moment. Between exploring Savannah’s historic district, visiting the lighthouse, and relaxing on the beach, the trip created a balance of work and play that many appreciated. For the teachers, it felt rewarding to see students build stronger relationships outside of the classroom, work together in a new environment, and they even joined in on activities.

Many students agreed that volunteering with the children was one of the most meaningful parts of the trip. “The most rewarding part SEE NEXT PAGE was having a sense of accomplishment and knowing you did something good with your time,” said Ellis Berkman.

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When asked what he would tell future classes who go on this trip, he answered, “I would tell them that it can make you feel like you are doing something good for people that don't have as much as you.”

The experience left students inspired to continue helping others, grateful for the chance to recognize how fortunate the kids at the Boys & Girls Club are, and grateful for the chance to make a difference together.

The trip reminded everyone that learning doesn't only happen in classrooms; it happens through experiences that challenge them to grow, connect, and give back. The Savannah trip left the sophomore class inspired and ready to bring those lessons of compassion and community into the rest of their school year.

Photo credit: Laura Woods

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11TH GRADE CLASS TRIP: COLLEGE TOURS AND DOLLYWOOD (TENNESSEE)

BY LILLIAN RUTTER, CLASS OF 2027

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raveling about four hours to Knoxville Tennessee, the junior class of 2027 prepared for their first of three college tours at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville to expand their knowledge on life after high school, and also imagine themselves at different institutions and get a feel for what type of school where they will fit best. For Junior Madeline Eccher, this trip ended up being crucial to her college search process. “When we first arrived at The University of Tennessee, my initial reaction was ‘this place is huge!’ However, as the tour progressed, I began to truly appreciate the campus. The energy from all the students made it feel alive and welcoming. By the end of the visit, I had decided that Tennessee had become my top choice.”

After touring a school with over 40,000 students, Juniors switched perspectives quickly when touring Carson Newman University, with just 2,500 students.

“Carson Newman was my third official college visit,” Madeline said. “Even though it wasn’t my favorite, it really helped me figure out that I wanted a bigger school.” And finally, 11th graders toured Furman University, also enrolling about 2,500 students, but offering D1 athletics and located right outside the heart of the bustling city of Greenville, South Carolina.

“The campus was beautiful and well-kept,” Madeline said. “I didn't get the same excitement when I visited these schools as I did when I visited Tennessee. UT-K surprised me, because going into the college tour, I thought it would be way too big for me, especially since Davidson Day only has 200 kids in the high school. After touring, I realized that I loved the energy that came along with a big school. Our tour guide said something that really stuck with me: ‘You can make a big school feel small, but you can’t make a small school Photo credit: Caitlin Barndt

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feel big.’ The vibe and culture at each school were completely different. At UT-K, I felt the most welcomed. I never felt out of place because everyone treated us like we were already a part of the Tennessee community. Carson Newman is a smaller school, so we didn’t run into as many students. The people we did meet were friendly, but most kept to themselves. It was a similar experience at Furman.

Before the class trip, I was mainly looking at smaller schools. After touring these three campuses, I’ve shifted my college search to focus on schools that have more energy, larger student populations, and a strong academic focus.”

After each morning of a long campus walking tour, students got to experience the amusement parks that Tennessee had to offer, like DollyWood and Annakeesta. “My favorite ride at DollyWood was definitely ‘Mystery Mine,’” Madeline said. “I love roller coasters, and this one was especially exciting because half the ride is in the dark. It has a completely vertical lift, followed by a huge drop, and it even goes upside down, which makes it a lot of fun. I definitely rode this one multiple times. At Annakeesta, we had to ride up a chair lift to get to the park. It was quite scary, but I had a lot of fun. Seeing all the fall and halloween decorations in the park made the vibes even better.

The views were also amazing, and it was fun to get photos.”

Although this trip focused mainly on colleges, students had lots of fun staying at the DreamMore DollyWood resort in between their college tours. “We had lots of freedom that made this trip memorable,” Madeline said. “Going to the hot tub before bed was lots of fun because most of the grade joined as well. I had been to Tennessee before, but I don’t remember much from that visit. The temperature was perfect and I like the mountainy vibes. I definitely saw some strange buildings in Pigeon Forge, but it just added to Tennessee's character.

This was one of my favorite class trips and it taught me a lot about myself. Without this trip, I could potentially be looking at a totally different path when applying to colleges. I liked that this class trip had structure but also freedom. I was also happy this trip didn’t get cut short!”

Photo credit: Caitlin Barndt

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SENIOR CLASS TRIP TO THE ISLE OF PALMS, SC

BY LORELEI ROBERTSON, CLASS OF 2026

Photo Credit: Debbie Taylor

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rom September 16-19th, the class of 2026 took their final class trip together. The trip helped the students to form new friendships, create lasting memories, and feel a sense of togetherness.

The Senior class traveled by bus to the Isle of Palms in South Carolina, where they had a blast, as they stayed in houses near the beach.

Thanks to Mrs. Debbie Taylor, the houses were filled with snacks and drinks, and most importantly, fun! Throughout the trip, the students took part in scheduled activities like pickleball games, an optional College of Charleston tour, walking and shopping in downtown Charleston, and going on the Harbor Cruise, but the trip mostly consisted of free time, which the students appreciated.

When asked why she felt it was important to have some more bonding time in their last year together, senior Alexis Blanchette answered, “A lot of us have been at the school since we were little, while others came later. I think it's good to ensure that we all have a strong community foundation, even as we are about to attend different colleges. This way, we can all come back and reconnect with one another, building a sense of community before we head off to college. So, I think because we're such a small school, we'll all stay connected.”

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Throughout each day, most students spent plenty of time hanging out at the Casa Banana House, either in the pool, the hot tub, or playing games in the living room or at the kitchen table.

They also spent a lot of time at the beach, which was just a walk away, and sauntered to a little town nearby where they could grab food, buy a scoop of ice cream at the Shaka Shack, or just roam around to pass the time.

The senior trip was definitely my favorite school trip in the time that I’ve been here, and I am sure that many would agree with me. It was nice to wake up to a homemade breakfast every morning and some homemade brownies. Mrs. Taylor definitely put hard work into organizing the trip, and she is definitely a huge reason why the senior trip is so special. Two of the houses – the Casa Flamingo and Casa Banana – even had decorative theme-based rooms like “rock and roll,” “the love shack,” and “the jungle room.” I loved having time to bond with classmates I don’t usually socialize with or even hang out with. Every night, we hung out until 11:30pm playing games together or exploring the amenities at the other houses. All the girls in my house (Casa Banana) also watched the last episode of The Summer I turned Pretty. We all felt connected, laughing and enjoying the experience.

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