By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
Several local students will call themselves European travelers when they return to school for fall. From June 12 through June 20, a total of 38 students and adults from the Clay County area, plan to take an art-centered trip abroad this summer.
According to Hayesville High School Art teacher Ellen Englemann, the trip is not a school-sponsored trip and each person is responsible for raising their own travel costs, which are approximately $3,800 per person. “We are traveling with a company called Explorica, which works directly with educators and hosts many tours around the world,” Englemann said, as she shared the itinerary. “We head to Paris first to see the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, the Picasso Museum, Montmartre, the Eiffel Tower, the Notre-Dame Cathedral and many more sights within the city. Then we travel to Biarritz on the TGV for some sightseeing. On to San Sebastián, where we will visit the Playa de la Choncha and Palacio de Miramar. From there we travel through Bilbao to visit the Guggenheim Museum. Our tour ends in Madrid with many sight visits which will include the Plaza Mayor, Columbus Square, the Royal Palace, the Prado Museum, Cibeles Fountain and more. It is an unbelievable trip these young adults will never forget.”
While it is not possible to chat with every student planning to make the trip, we spoke with two of them. Coincidentally, they are both named Cameron.
Hayesville High School Senior Cameron Gray is looking forward to traveling to Europe with his peers, most of whom are area high school students. “I am going to Europe to Paris and Madrid,” he explained. “The trip is an art focused trip. We will visit a number of museums throughout the trip. There are other students from the foreign language club and the art club going on the trip.”
He shared how he is responsible for raising his own funds for the trip. This is not a school-sponsored trip. Therefore, money is not being raised through school fund-raisers.
“My parents have always encouraged me to take advantage of opportunities, particularly traveling and to experience many different cultures,” he added.
In 2019, Gray traveled around the United Kingdom for three weeks. Later this summer, his family is planning to travel to Scandinavia. His sister, Natalie Gray, is currently studying aboard in Sweden. She is a 2020 graduate of Hayesville High School and a student at UNC Chapel Hill. Cameron Gray is the son of Nathan Gray, a professor of Business and Public Policy at Young Harris College, and Melissa Gray, who works in Loan Operations at Nantahala Bank.
The young man believes the trip will expand his horizons for his future plans of attending a four-year university after high school graduation. “I plan to major in finance and data analytics,” he said. “I intend to study abroad in college and this trip will aid in my ability to learn how to navigate in foreign countries. These travels will help me become more culturally aware.”
HHS junior Cameron Woody also shared her excitement about the trip. “I’m raising my funds by selling things here and there but mostly by asking businesses if they would be willing to help sponsor me,” she said. “There have been a couple group fundraisers, such as the mum sale, but none are currently happening and they’re set up so that each student gets what they personally earned instead of dividing it evenly.” Woody enjoys reading, dancing, singing and coloring and has sold some of her drawings, baked bread and has done other work to help pay her costs.
We asked Woody how she thinks traveling to Europe will impact her future. “I hope to fly for the USAF after high-school,” she replied. “I think this trip will help my future plans by exposing me to global cultures, which will be a big part of military life.”
Woody plans to go to Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn. to pursue a four year degree in rotor-wing aircraft. She previously traveled to Europe when she visited her aunt who was living in Germany, where her husband was stationed there with the military.
Woody is the daughter of Hayesville graduates, Reid and Shanda Woody. “My family is very big. Not only our immediate but also our extended family,” she smiled. “I have five sisters and two brothers. I have twin sisters named Jaqueline and Felicity, who are 13 months old, a brother named Dennis who is 5 years old, a sister named Melanie who is 7 years old, a brother named Weston who is 9 years old, a sister named Josephine who is 11 years old and a sister named Livian, who is 14 years old. I love my family and am very excited to go on this trip and am also very thankful for all the people who have made this possible for me.” Livian Woody also hopes to make the trip to Europe.
Ellen Engelmann wants to see this trip happen for as many students as possible. “This will be my first trip overseas with a group of students,” she said, excitedly. “I am thrilled to have this opportunity. I was inspired by Patty Moore and Linda Barrett, who are retired HHS teachers, both of whom championed the travel experience. I was to take this exact trip with Patty Moore but it was canceled due to COVID. Since then, Patty has retired and I felt it necessary to lead on and explore the world with my students.”
Engelmann continued, “Before I was a teacher, I was in the Navy. I cannot put into words the impact world travel had on shaping who I am and how I see the world today. Later on, while I was in college studying to be an art teacher, I had an opportunity to travel to Madrid where I visited the Prado Museum. I was overcome with excitement not only to be seeing the art in person, but to also experience the unique and intricate connection I felt to the world and its history. My dream since then has been that I could take my students traveling so they too will be able to have the same treasured experience.”
Engelmann reminded how many students could use some financial help, yet donations may not be sent directly to the school. “This is not a school-sponsored trip. Fundraising has to be done individually or within the private group of students who are planning on going,” she said. “Students have found local businesses willing to support them as well as being creative with some private fundraising, such as selling their art or hosting a dance.”
Anyone who is interested in supporting students or who may have a special scholarship for a traveling student, email Engelmann: eengelmann@hayesvillehs.org or call (678) 266-7151.