What It's Like To Be A Senior

By Karley Chynces '13

I arrived to Palmer Trinity on the first day of school wearing my salmon-colored shirt. Underclassmen would look at me walk on campus and, at long last, I finally felt powerful. I have reached the senior status that I have been longing for since ninth grade.

The first thing that came to my mind was, “Wow, I made it.” 

When I first thought about becoming a senior I thought that everything in my school life was going to be different. Much of it is the same, but there are many new things that I appreciate.

The senior chickee is a new aspect that I love. The chickee is always a place for social time amongst my fellow classmates, but it can also be a quiet place to do homework and study.

Another great asset that we have is the privilege to use any computer on campus with Internet access. The class of 2013 looks like an Apple MacBook kingdom.

The most important thing that I have stumbled upon over the past couple months of being a senior is being a role model.

Attending Palmer Trinity since 2009, I have continually looked upon the graduating class. Now that I am part of the graduating class, I have realized how important it is to be the better person, the motivation and inspiration for the younger ones.

Having the title of a senior has made me reach out more to those who need assistance and even as a wiser and more mature friend.

Becoming a senior is not only about the thrill and power, but it is about reaching a teenage goal.

Many do not think that being a senior is accomplishing until it is experienced.

So to the freshman, sophomores, and juniors, do not rush high school because all the knowledge that is being acquired now will make you the better senior when your graduation time comes around. Every senior has a different story that makes them great; that is why we are known as the quintessential bodies for the rest of the students at Palmer Trinity.

One day, everyone will have the opportunity to be a senior—the teenagers that the school looks upon—to take charge and share their journey. 

Students Call Nicaragua Mission Trip "Life Changing"

By Sarah Corbishley '16

Students on last year's trip pose for a picture with local children after a hard day of work.

Participants call it one of the most meaningful experiences of their lives.

“Incredibly humbling and completely transformative,” Sofia Pedroso ’14, said.

Now in its thirteenth year, the mission trip to Nicaragua continues to attract acclaim.

Students spend vacation building a simple cement dwelling for a needy family—but the whole experience is far more encompassing.

The World Bank reports that Nicaragua ranks among the poorest nations in Latin America: “Forty percent of the poor, or 20 percent of the population, fall below the extreme poverty line and are food poor; that is, they cannot meet the daily minimum caloric requirement even if they were to devote all of their consumption to food.”

“I have a great time building the home,” Pedroso said. “But I feel even more fulfilled by interacting with the neighborhood children, playing games, talking and learning about each other.”

Under trip leaders Mrs. Adrianna Truby and Dr. Leopoldo Llinas, applications have skyrocketed. Over the last five years, the trip has grown from 12 students to two trips with 16 students each. The response has been so overwhelming that, regretfully, Truby has had no choice but to limit the number of participants.

Llinas says that the trip personifies the School’s student-driven focus, and that he is “honored” to belong to such an important effort.

“The students that have gone have been changed,” Llinas said. “And they want their friends to experience similar change for themselves.”

Laila Khatib ’14 says she will always remember the people she met, especially a“precious” six-year-old neighborhood girl with little more than the clothes on her back.

“On the last day of the trip, we painted each other’s nails and I gave Emily my pink sunglasses,” Khatib said. “She promised to give them back when I return this year, and I promised to bring her a brand new pair.”

Fabi Vivacqua ’14 said she enjoyed interacting with local children, playing soccer and bradding hair.

“It made me realize how we should be grateful for the things we have because not everybody has the same things,” Vivacqua said. “The people there are very welcoming and are very accepting with their arms wide open.”

More than any other time of the year, Llinas says that his service in Nicaragua makes him feel really good about himself.

“You get caught up in your daily life and forget about what’s really important,” Llinas said. “And I think the trip really provides a time of self-reflection, and when I return home I appreciate my family even more.”

Truby is “thrilled” to have so much help from the community.

The Spanish Honor Society and National Honor Society collect school supplies, diapers and baby needs.

The Hispanic Society translates medicine labels.

The Athletic Department collects soccer balls and old uniforms.

“It is one event the entire school community embraces,” Truby said.

For those unable to attend but still want to get involved, Llinas encourages contributing old clothes and toys for a garage sale on Dec. 8. All proceeds go toward supporting the building project and providing basic necessities.

The yard sale will take place Dec. 8 at 13840 Old Cutler Road. Please bring your donated items (furniture, appliances, housewares, decorative items, toys, games, musical instruments, DVDs, CDs, electronics, power tools, bicycles, sports equipment, clothing, jewelry and accessories to Mrs. Truby's classroom (Room 222) by Wednesday, November 30.

Mr. Falcon Promo

The Falconer Chats with Mr. Murphy

The Falconer Chats with Ms. Colandrea