40 Brookwood juniors and seniors study abroad

THOMASVILLE- Following their voyage to various European cities – including London, Paris, Lausanne, Lucerne, Maranello, Florence and Rome – a group of 40 Brookwood School juniors and seniors returned to the states having strolled the streets of Portobello, whizzed through the English countryside by high-speed train, and indulged in their share of gelato.

Fine Arts Department Chair and Middle and Upper School Art teacher Trellis Payne led her first summer excursion with Brookwood School.

Payne said “seeing new parts of the world through our students’ eyes takes heartwarming to a new level.”

Upper School English teacher Brandon French, Director of Instructional Technology Josh Hanke, Upper School Spanish teacher Danielle Posey, Upper School math teacher Leigh Anne Ramsey and Lower School Academic Resource Center teacher Jill Richardson joined Payne in ensuring students were able to get the most out of their time overseas.

“It was an incredible experience for our students to see and to explore so much culture and history in such a short time,” said French.

“The trip fostered camaraderie in overcoming extensive, often exhausting travel, but this helped our students develop a sense of perseverance,” French added. “New friendships were made, and old friendships were strengthened. There is no doubt in my mind that this will be a trip that stays with the students.”

French recalled seeing a love for culture and history flourish in the students as they encountered new ideas and new experiences.

“They were able to practice empathy and sincerity in overcoming three different language barriers, not to mention the palpable cultural differences experienced throughout international travel,” he said.

Along with their instructors, Brookwood’s travelers included Grayson Baker, Ava Bass, Owen Bodell, Emma Broome, Byrdie Bryan, Clark Carter, Tripp Chastain, Diya Choksi, Elizabeth Cohen, Amelia Cook, Hutton Daniel, Bo Davis, Shep Davis, Maddie Duncan, Ellie Godwin, Sam Harrell, Katherine Jones, Will Kadel, Rylee Knight, Matthew Lauderdale, Avery Kate Lee, Sophia Lee, Anna Charles Oppenheim, Anna Lauri Parrott, Max Powers, Avery Ramsey, Emma Rhodes, John Albert Roesel, Emily Sanders, Miriam Simmons, Abigail Squires, Abby Stalvey, Andrew Strickland, Gracie Strickland, Pearson Taylor, Emily Grace Tuten, Waverly Waldrep, Camille Yarbrough, Wilson Young and Kate von Hellens.