BG students travel to Hawaii through study abroad

Ten Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School students and two teachers traveled on a study abroad trip to Hawaii in February.

For eight days, students Allison Fiore, Grace Broadrick, Marklin Myers, Noah Kelleher, Michael Cacciotti, Jennie Merrilli, Estella Koch, Ava Iapalucci, Madison Trotter and Brianna Haun and teachers Gina Baker and Victoria Byrne stayed on the island of Maui.

The purpose of this trip was to assess the island's economy from a volcanic ridge to the coral reef to gain appreciation for Hawaii's culture and to show how the islanders value ecology there.

The students also did service projects. These included visiting an 800-year-old village to restore the taro fields by pulling invasive grasses and hiking to a rainforest with the Hawaii Nature Conservancy to remove invasive pine trees from the forest.

Together, they removed 500 to 600 small trees.

Ecology and biology teacher Gina Baker said, "Maui is an amazing place. Seeing it through the eyes of my students as they were guided by native Hawaiians who love ecosystems and culture was education at its finest."

Students also enjoyed fun activities such as hiking to the top of Haleakalā, the dormant volcano on Maui, and then following a trail into the crater. They snorkeled around the coral reef to learn about the ecology of the reef, swam with sea turtles, and dove below the ocean's surface to hear whales communicating.

Students camped out in tents next to the ocean in Waihee.

They had the pleasure of doing some souvenir shopping where they enjoyed a sweet treat of some Hawaiian shaved ice.

Students had a full day of swimming and enjoying the ocean. Senior Grace Broadrick said, "It was amazing to learn how much work needs to be done to protect and conserve the island. We helped make a big difference and had a great time."

Bishop Guilfoyle has offered many trips like this to places such as Spain, Italy, Ireland, China, Baja and Belize.

Through Saint Francis University's professor in residence program, students have also acquired cultural insight by visiting France and Austria.

Upcoming trips for BG students include France, which is offered during June of every year, and Greece, which is offered in the summer 2024.