On March 6, 2004, the freshman and sophomore classes of scholars (along
with three professors and a couple of lucky visitors) descended upon
New York City to day-trip the heck out of the unsuspecting city. The
57 attendees loaded onto the charter bus in the wee hours and made the
lengthy, 3-hour journey over Eastern Maryland, Delaware, and the most
air-polluted, flaming parts of New Jersey. Though they came as a group,
the trip allowed for people to go off and explore the city on their
own. A few went to the more traditional tourist stops, such as Ellis
Island, the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. Upon recalling
being perched atop one of the highest points in the world, freshman
James C. commented that "you could see all the way to New Jersey!" Many
took the cultured route, visiting museums like the Guggenheim. The freshmen
class had recently finished a unit featuring the Italian Futurists,
works of which were being exhibited, and the trip let them experience
the dynamic paintings up close. Others decided to explore the city itself,
roaming through districts like TriBeCa, SoHo, and the East Village.
Freshman Jessica C., who had been to New York several times, said that
she "like(s) walking in New York. You get to see all kinds of crazy
things." Indeed she did, from haggling with street vendors selling Louis
Vuitton knockoffs to stumbling across quirky, fun little stores. The
trip ended with the group meeting at a New York restaurant, where many
ate and discussed with friends how they spent their time in the city.
Finally, as night fell, the bus pulled out of the city and the Montgomery
Scholars said goodbye to New York City for at least one more year!
