Senior Rechel Geiger traveled to Israel this summer through a leadership program. She prayed at the Western Wall, rafted on the Jordan River, and swam in the dead sea.

Geiger appreciated learning about the history of the Jewish people. She loved the food, especially falafel. She met a Kabbalistic Jew named Avraham who changed her life. He focused on Judaism and meditation from a spiritual point of view, rather than prayer and religion.

Geiger said, “It was amazing that everyone around was Jewish just like me. I loved being around people with the same beliefs and faith as me.”

Junior Lyndon Whittaker ventured to Phillips Academy, a prestigious boarding school in Andover, Massachusetts. After the rigorous admissions process that involved an interview, writing essays and sending a transcript, Whittaker was accepted.

He attended Phillips academy for his second summer in a row. He was ready to find academic enrichment and friends from around the world.

“It was a challenge to manage my time wisely without my parents there to check up on me. The responsibility was my own,” said Lyndon.

From Lyndon’s excellent academic experience to his opportunities to play soccer, Phillips Academy gave him a better understanding of communicating with people of all cultures, and he came to White Station already prepared for his classes.

Ms. Caldwell explored the world this summer, going to Africa to visit her sister. Whether it was bungee jumping, going on a fascinating safari, enjoying time with her sisters, white water rafting on the Nile, or observing African culture, Ms. Caldwell had the time of her life.

Ms. Caldwell said, “Everyone is used to living such a simple, rustic life even without electricity. It is the norm to live like this.”

The only negative experience was getting food poisoning for the last few days of the trip. Otherwise, Ms. Caldwell would rate her trip as an eleven on a scale from one to ten.

Senior, Chris Chiozza, had an eventful summer, playing for a traveling basketball team. The highlight was definitely going to a camp run by LeBron James and meeting him. Since Chiozza is one of the top eighty basketball players in the country, he was offered the chance to play for a second year.

“I was surprised at how humble the NBA players really are in person, especially LeBron and Kyree Irving,” said Chris.

LeBron James, Kyree Irving, Deron Williams, and Anthony Davis inspired Chris, saying that school should always come first. Chris loved traveling all around the country to Las Vegas, New York City, Orlando, and Milwaukee.