The Senior Trip at Edison sparked much interest in students graduating this year for more reasons than one.

The recent trip to Villa Roma Resort in the Catskills is where it had taken place and cost a total of $430, originally that price was lower but due to other fees, the price had to increase. Combined with the fact that it took place at the beginning of Ramadan, many students were upset, but the date could not be changed. The overall turnout of the trip was 37 students and it took place from Feb 28- March 2nd. 

After interviewing multiple students it was revealed that there were two main underlying reasons why the number of attendees of the trip was so low. 

“The trip causes a conflict with Ramadan, along with that, the cost is more expensive than what was initially on the interest form,” said Senior, Simran Begum.

As expected, many students were upset about the price increase as the trip was advertised to be around $330 already, but then it was increased to $432 after the vote for the trip was over and the number of people interested met the quota.

“If it was cheaper I’d go. Also, the timing of it. Maybe if more of my friends were going I’d be more inclined to go,” said Senior, Jayden La Rose.

Upon hearing the price increase and the date on which the trip was taking place the excitement for the trip died down and even fewer people wanted to go. As a result, interest in the trip decreased even further.

“It was on Ramadan, there was a dramatic price increase and then we also have to pay more money to do the main interesting activities,” said Senior, Israel Doman 

Even with all of these issues surrounding the trip a group of 37 students still volunteered to go with hopes of having an enjoyable and memorable time.

As the trip got underway many of the students described their first day to be a rocky start as the resort already had an itinerary planned for all of the schools participating in the trip and it conflicted with student-created schedules so much that part of the first day was spent trying to resolve that issue. 

“It was slightly frustrating to have an afternoon wasted due to scheduling conflicts,” Labib Khondakar said.  

After the chaperones were able to get the wheels rolling the students described a vast shift in their experience.

“With the chaperones being as welcoming as possible, I realized the trip had a lot of potential,” Charles D’Silva said. 

After the trip concluded many of the students described their experience as enjoyable, they indulged in the numerous activities provided in the resort but it was an overall consensus among those who went that the trip could have been better. 

“We had Chaperones which made it feel like our freedom was being restricted. After the trip, I do think it was worth it though but still definitely a diet experience of a trip compared to other schools,” Jordan Holland said.   

“To make this trip go smoother, it was difficult because of the nature of taking care of children for a weekend,” one of the chaperone’s, Mr. Burdick, said. He also included that it was hard to keep track of everybody since the kids broke into groups.

Overall, the expectancy of the trip was better than anticipated and the students who attended were satisfied with the result. The photos and memories created by the attendees swayed the view of the trip tremendously and made it worthwhile in the end for the class of 2025.