News & Events

Norfolk Academy launches its fourth Maymester program this spring, giving Upper School students unique opportunities to cap their sophomore and junior years. This program offers an array of experiential learning, internships, and international travel. The goal is that through their exploration, students will gain new interests and a better understanding of these many various topics.

This blog will be updated regularly during Maymester.

Saturday, May 24

Germany: We arrived in Frankfurt early in the morning and tired after a long 8-hour flight. We took a minute to find our bus and then got on the road to Cologne (Köln). Once in Köln we had free time and a group of us got lunch at a great restaurant called Hänneschen und die Pfeffermühle. Afterwards we went and walked through the Kölner Dom (Cologne cathedral) and saw the beautiful architecture and artwork. - Nolan '26

Sunday, May 25

Italy: The Italy Maymester has officially started! After a long day of travel, we took a ride to Torre alle Tolfe, a beautiful farm where we will spend the first part of our trip. We spent our day exploring the gorgeous grounds and indulging in a delicious dinner before settling down for needed rest. - Chloe '26 and Charleston '26

Community Engagement: Today we kicked off our Maymester with a fun game with accomplishments and things we aspire to do, which was a great way to bond as a group and learn surprising and new things about our peers. After that we headed to the Virginia Beach Adventure Park, where we climbed and zipped our way through the tree top courses. The mix of challenges and hard work made it a truly amazing first day. We were able to push ourselves and step out of our comfort zone! - Hayden '26

Spain: We landed in Madrid at 9 AM local time. Everyone was a bit sleepy but excited to finally be here. We kicked things off with a visit to a café for a traditional Spanish breakfast. Students tried new things like café con leche and croquettas. It was a fun way to dive into the culture. From there, we set out on a walking tour of the city. We stopped at Puerta del Sol, one of the most famous and lively squares in Madrid, then made our way to the beautiful Almudena Cathedral and the impressive Royal Palace. We also visited the Plaza Mayor, a historic square that was once used for public execution events during the Inquisition—it’s now full of restaurants and tourist spots! For lunch, we found a nearby restaurant where students got to try authentic Spanish dishes including paella and oxtail. Later, the group had time to explore shops before we regrouped for a Flamenco dance class. The energy in the studio was amazing, and the students had fun learning the traditional steps (lots of clapping and stomping). We’re settling into our hotel tonight, tired but excited. It’s been a great first day, and we’re looking forward to everything still to come. - Sam '26

Monday, May 26

Spain: After a good night of sleep, we were ready for the day! We started with a delicious breakfast at the hotel with varying traditional Spanish foods to more international choices. After trying new foods to start the day, students were led by Señora Thompson to the Prado Museum to learn more about classical art and artists in Spain. We immersed ourselves in the works of artists from Diego Velázquez’s Cristo Crucificado to Francisco Goya’s Pinturas Negras. We gained better knowledge about certain pieces of art while connecting them to Spanish culture themes. After our visit to the Prado we traveled to a supermarket to buy a snack before a picnic in El Parque del Retiro. On the way to our picnic, we stumbled upon a political protest where people called for unity against the city's plan to privatize health care. It was cool to see and to learn more about the current events in Madrid. We made it to the park, which surrounded a pond with fun attractions like paddleboats, restaurants, and art exhibits. We returned to the hotel for lunch, then went straight back into the city for exploring and shopping. Students took the metro to another neighborhood to explore or could travel around the city by foot. We all regrouped at the hotel after our free time to begin our journey to the countryside for our home stays in Aravaca and Moralzarzal. We took a bus to the two towns and met with our host families to settle in for the night. Many of us shared dinner with our families and learned more about their culture while telling them some about ours! - Emma '26

Peru: From trying new food to visiting new cities, our Peru Maymester has been filled with nonstop excitement. After couple of long days traveling we arrived in Calca, where we were greeted by our homestay parents. We started our first day with a Spanish scavenger hunt. This allowed us to practice our Spanish with the locals and get more familiar with the town. Then we had a nice lunch in Ollyantantambo, where we had to free time to explore the beautiful town and hike up to the Inca Ruins. We then visited a 100-year-old house that was filled with Cuy. After we enjoyed a nice dinner at the Sunshine Cafe. We ate taco bowls and had delicious Peruvian Chicha Morada, which was juice made from purple corn. Experiencing Peru’s cultures has been fun and as a group we have already learned so much. We’re excited for the days ahead. - Tessa '26

Italy: We began today with a delicious Italian breakfast. After we finished, we met with the owner of the Torre Al Tolfe. We helped her with chores and learned about her regenerative farm. She strives to replenish the fertility lost from generations of rather harsh farming by aerating when planting and using rabbits, sheep, and geese to mow grass instead of tractors to avoid soil compaction. On top of these tactics, she recycles every product from the animals. Eggshells are used as part of chicken food and manure is used in compost. We also got the opportunity to bond with many of the goats. We also got to pet farm dogs. The last thing we did before lunch was move the two horses and the cow to a new pasture and set up a new electric fence. Overall, everyone learned lots of new things on the farm! - Mikey '26 and Fritz '26

France: On Saturday morning, we arrived in Paris after a long day of flying. We got to our charter bus and met our jolly driver named Djamel. Djamel took us straight to Mont Saint Michel in Normandy, where we were guided through the village and to the top of the cathedral. This was a great first experience with French culture firsthand. On day two we got up early and made our way back to Normandy, where we were guided through the D-Day beaches and the American Cemetery. Seeing the sites where true American sacrifices were made had a significant impact on our group. We learned more about our country’s history and the people who came before us. We then went to Pointe du Hoc and explored German bunkers that overlooked the ocean. These bunkers showed us where the 2nd division rangers scaled a range of cliffs, which allowed them to infiltrate the German line. Both experiences set a pride-filled tone for the rest of the day as we connected with our country’s past. Shortly after we quickly made our way over to La Ferme de Billy and were guided through the cider making process and the work that goes into making the variety of options they distribute. To end day two, we explored the lively town of Asnelles, where we reflected on the amazing experiences of the past two days. - Grayson '27 and Finn '27

Germany: On the first free day with my host family we went to the Moorland (Moor=swamp) and there was a small museum-esque event, along with a hiking trail. It was cool because I learned about the wildlife and the ecosystem of the Moors and how they are being preserved. It was also beautiful and isn’t much of what I would picture when I thought of a swamp or bog. The next day at school, we received a tour from the sixth graders and they seemed excited to show us around and talk about their school. It was welcoming. After that I went to a politics class. The class was split into smaller groups for the whole time and I talked with the people in my group about the differences between the U.S. and German governments, systems, laws, etc. In all the first day at school was a friendly experience. - CJ '27

Tuesday, May 27

Italy: Our day started with a scavenger hunt in the medieval city of San Gimignano. We split up into three groups and were presented with eight tasks to complete in 90 minutes, featuring important cultural aspects of the city. A few examples include finding a saffron product (for which San Gimignano is known), searching for the best gelato, and identifying a medieval pilgrimage route. This was a competition and the winner was the group of Elijah, Thomas, RJ, Mikey, and Fritz. After our treasure hunt we had free time to shop and eat. To honor Memorial Day we ran/walked a 5K in the hills of Tuscany. We finished the night with a lovely dinner! - Allie '27

Greece: We started our first full day in Athens by walking up to the Acropolis, where we saw the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and the Temple of Athena Nike. Our favorite thing was learning about the evolution of sculpture and the unique aspects of the Parthenon. Because the Parthenon is so big, it was built with intentional small curves, called Doric refinement, intended to give the illusion of a straight building. After our visit to the Acropolis we visited the Acropolis Museum. The award-winning museum displays some of the best preserved artifacts from the Acropolis, including five out of the six Caryatids of the Erechtheion. These sculpted female figures face the Parthenon and represent traditional woman in everyday attire that also serve as columns for structural support. After our in-depth tour of the museum from Mr. Levine, we stopped for a quick visit to the Tower of the Winds and Hadrian’s Library. - Rashi '26

Spain: This morning, we all woke up and headed to our respective schools. After catching up about our nights with our host families, a bus brought both the Fontenebro and Aravaca groups to Segovia together. It was nice meeting everyone again and meeting the exchange students from Aravaca. We drove for about an hour to Segovia, an ancient town north of Madrid. Segovia is beautiful! The centerpieces of the town were the cathedral, the castle, and the Roman aqueduct. Personally, I loved the Roman aqueduct that stretches for 14 kilometers around the city. I loved how the city displayed so much history from the times of Ancient Rome and the centuries of Spanish kings and queens. We had the opportunity to explore the castle, called the Alcázar. In the castle, we saw the throne rooms of Ferdinand and Isabella, where Señora Thompson gave us an excellent history lesson (Columbus asked the Catholic Kings for funding for his voyage in that room!). After touring the first floor of the castle, we climbed the steep and windy staircase to the top of the castle tower. Luckily, the pretty views made up for the hard climb. - Julia '26

Wednesday, May 28

Germany: Today we returned to CGL for our second day of school with the exchange students and their classmates. I went to an 11th grade English class with friends and took part in a debate about fast fashion. The German students loved hearing our American accents and enjoyed the passion with which we argued. Luke, Nolan, and I then took part in a fifth grade English class, answering questions about American schools, food, culture, and many other things the younger students wanted to know. For the second half of class, Frau Haynes and Dr. Rezelman joined us in enjoying the students’ dialogues, acting out a day of shopping in their best English. After school and a short lunch with our host families, we went to the Kletterwald (climbing forest), similar to our own adventure park. There we took on courses ranging from the simple to the most challenging (and sometimes a little scary), jumping onto cargo nets, rappelling down trees, and crossing logs over 60 feet in the trees. My favorite courses were the Twister and S-Bahn. On Twister we climbed high into the trees before reaching an auto-belay and jumping to the ground from well over 60 feet. S-Bahn was much less technical, taking climbers up into the trees before ziplining at high speeds across a gorgeous lake in the forest. We then returned home, where I ate a delicious dinner of homemade pizza with my host family and learned how to play the German board game Dog with Max’s family. The school day was a lot of fun, and Kletterwald was great bonding for the Americans and our families. I can already tell that my German is getting much better, and it has been spectacular learning about German culture and customs while we've been here. - David '26

Community Engagement: Today our group took a trip to the Tidewater Foodbank! This trip involved a tour of the Foodbank's warehouse, led by Mr. Tan, who talked to us about how the Foodbank works and showed us a new high-tech freezer. After our tour we did volunteer work, organizing donated food that will be given out. After lunch, we got to experience a physical and virtual poverty simulation with Mrs. Williams-Rumbley. Both of these simulations were eye opening as we learned that many people don’t have the opportunity to take steps forward. The lesson we took back with us from the Foodbank was the importance of giving back. If you are capable and have the privilege of giving back, it’s important to do so. Don’t leave people behind as you take your steps forward. - Maple '26 

Poverty in America: On Day One we traveled to the Eastern Shore and met workers who help build houses for Habitat for Humanity. We were tasked with putting up the siding on the house and the shed, along with putting up a sign for a house that a family is about to move into. Today, on Day Two, we worked in the inside of the house. We caulked and put up electrical wiring in all the different rooms. We are excited to keep working with Habitat to transform the house into somewhere a family will live. - Felicity '27

Greece: Our fifth day in Athens was relaxing. We got on the bus and headed to the Temple of Poseidon, a Doric temple that is in Sounio, a geographical cape. This cape is the separation between the Saronic Gulf and the Aegean Sea. The rest of settlement of Sounio was a whole neighborhood of small houses with one or two rooms each. Once there, Mr. Levine and Mr. Vaughn found pieces of red and black figure pottery. After that we headed to Lake Vouligameni. The lake is brackish with lots of little fish. It used to be a cave and is now a posh resort and wedding destination. After that we headed to Varkiza Beach, where we played volleyball and swam in the ocean. Lastly, we ate dinner at a restaurant on the beach called Aperanto Galazio. - Whitney '26 and Chloe '26

Thursday, May 29

France: On Monday, we arrived in Paris! After spending the morning at the Peace Memorial Museum, where we learned about the European perspective of the Holocaust and World War II (including watching a short film about D-Day), we made the journey to Paris with our favorite bus driver Djamal. It was a long bus ride, but we found it beautiful. We listened to music and bonded on these rides. We arrived at St. Dominique and were excited to see our correspondents. They came outside to see us and made us feel welcome. We enjoyed the party with food and drinks that was they had for us. We especially loved the cakes that they had. We spent time touring the beautiful campus and catching up with everybody. Afterwards everybody headed home, settling into their host families’ houses and adapting to the French way of life. - Ella '26 and Vera '26

Poverty in America: Today was our third day on site. We started by framing for the windows. We then used caulk to set the windows in place. We stabilized them by hammering the edges with nails and tape. After lunch, we continued siding the house with panels, nails, and lots of measuring. After putting more panels on, we adjusted the scaffolds to make them taller for our work tomorrow. We are making great progress with lots of hard work! - Elizabeth '27

Germany: On Wednesday, we traveled to Potsdam. On the way, we stopped and explored the Iron Curtain and the processing buildings used to let people into East Germany. Herr Nelson told us about his experience as a boy traveling through East Germany to West Berlin; he said it would take at least an hour to three hours to get through due to the prolonged delay East Germany guards may have purposefully made. He said he was always scared to give his passport to be checked because he might not get it back. We looked all around, and it is still difficult to grasp that not so long ago there were people there trying to get through their own country to see family, that East Germany guards were there, and that it took until 1989 for some sort of unity. - Leah '26

Italy: Today we started with our usual breakfast, prosciutto, salami, cheese, fruits, home made honey, cherry jelly, and more. Then, on a guided tour of Florence, we ventured through the city, seeing various sights such as the Ponte Vecchio bridge, the Florence Duomo, and Michelangelo’s David statue. Utterly breathtaking. After a brief break to eat, shop, and collect ourselves we made it back to the meeting spot, ready for museums. We then entered Uffizi Galleries and saw pieces of art such as the Birth of Venus, Medusa, Doni Tondo, and more. Before we departed Florence we stopped for Gelato. Finally, to wrap up our day we purchased some of Torre alle Tolfe’s home produced goods, such as olive oil, to send back to our families.- Elijah '26

Spain: Today the Aravaca and Fontenebro Americans and Spaniards went on a hike in the Moralzarzal area. It was fun and we saw a lot of mountains and plants. It was a great bonding experience as the two schools became one group, taking pictures, having conversations, and dancing to music. We saw a snake, juniper, and poppies. After the hike, all the students ate a snack in Moralzarzal. We drank Spanish Eneryeti Watermelon energy drinks and classic tapas at a cafe. Then the Aravaca guys took a bus to Madrid center for lunch and shopping. Then, the Real Madrid fans went to the Santiago Bernabeu while the Atletico Madrid fans went to the Metropolitano, which are the teams' respective stadiums. At the stadiums, the group took tours, visiting locker rooms, pitches, and trophy cabinets. After the stadium tour, the Real Madrid fans ate dinner at a restaurant overlooking the pitch. It was for many our favorite day of the trip so far. - Aarush '26

Community Engagement: Today we got the opportunity to go to another Foodbank site in Franklin, Virginia. We got a tour of their facility and helped sort donated items. Next, we learned about the farm that the Foodbank collaborates with from a local, fourth generation farmer named Elisha Barnes. He explained the importance of his work with us by sharing insightful stories and information, as well as showing us Izzie's field. Izzie's Field is where he grows many crops, such as sweet corn and peanuts. Elisha has an agreement with Mr. Tan, CEO of the Foodbank, for this field where he grows the crops and the Foodbank then supplies labor for the harvest. These profits then contribute to more meals that the Foodbank can provide to the Franklin community. We had a great time learning from this experience and can't wait to help with their marketing in the upcoming days! - Carson '26

Internships: In addition to gaining insight within their individual fields, students are building their professional networks, asking great questions, reflecting on how the field they’re observing fits into their interests and values, and enjoying an experience that they will add to their official resume. Some of their observations:

• “I sat through a five-hour trial of someone who was facing multiple criminal counts from within my own community. It was really eye-opening to watch the legal system play out in front of me.”
• “I watched a doctor identify and remove polyps. Watching her, the nurses, and nurse anesthetist work together to remove each polyp and prepare it for the lab was fascinating.”
• “I was so grateful to meet with the executive vice president and executive manager of the company who graciously answered my endless questions about the Norfolk market.”
• “I learned about the marine side of insurance and how there are different laws in port than on land. It was really interesting.”
• “I really appreciated how approachable and laid back the head of production was, and I’m excited to do hands-on work with him next week.”

Friday, May 30

Peru: Another day of adventure consisted of meeting the world famous Potato King and dipping into Peruvian culture by visiting thermal baths in De Lares. We started the day with breakfast at our homestays and preparing to see the Potato King. The history we learned from the PK was worth it. We found out how he creates biodiversity within 350 varieties of potatoes. The PK and his family prepared a fresh lunch in which we devoured trout, vegetables, and, of course, potatoes. Some of our group members were lucky enough to take part in a documentary funded by the AASD where they were interviewed about their experience with the PK. The bus ride to the De Lares thermal baths was not as strenuous as our morning commute. To continue, an hour or two was spent playing Marco Polo, polar plunging, and testing how long we could stay in the scorching baths. By the time we made it back to our homestays, it was time for dinner and free time. The group decided to explore Calca by getting ice cream and such. The next day, we once again started our morning with breakfast at our homestays. An hour of a Spanish lesson taught us about the importance of symbols in Quechua culture. To much of our surprise, we then hiked about 20 minutes to the Ecohuella organization’s farm. We played a bingo-like game in which we searched for different food sources varying from fruits and vegetables to Cuy (Guinea Pig). We then listened to a presentation done by Yesica, one of Ecohuella’s founders, which informed us about its mission to create an organic and preservative-free diet. Again, we enjoyed a farm to table lunch including chicken, quinoa, rice, avocado, and Peruvian cheese. We then hiked up to Urco Ruins, where we continued our understanding of Quechua symbols in real-life examples. A jewelry workshop followed. Children taught the entire group how to make bracelets and silver rings. We supported their organization by visiting and purchasing extra jewelry at their museum. The rest of the afternoon was followed by playing soccer and swinging on the playground with the locals. A bus ride down from the workshop led us to our homestays and dinner. Today, we had an early morning where we had a bus ride to another Peruvian farm. We helped harvesting potatoes and strawberries. We were engulfed in culture, wearing traditional dress. We are excited for what’s to come. - Annabelle '27

Materials Science at Sibelco Quartz Mine in North Carolina

Germany: Today was our second day in Berlin. We began with breakfast at the hotel, energizing us for a busy day filled with lots of exploring. We drove to the Brandenburger Tor which has been the official entranceway into the city since the late 1700s. We began the walking tour through the heart of the city. Our next stop was the Memorial to Murdered European Jews. Here, we talked about the feelings evoked in oneself by the maze-like design of the memorial. We were prompted to reflect on the horrors of the genocide of the Jewish people and the idea that not only the attackers are at fault, but also those who let this genocide occur. This was a deeply moving experience for all who were there. We then traveled to the nearby spot where Adolf Hitler killed himself. No plaque or statue exists here, but rather a parking lot has been built in this place. This prevents any possibility of a public gathering at the spot or any sort of memorial service. We then stopped at the current financial ministry for Berlin. This building had previously been the the home of administrative departments of East Germany, and the Nazi aviation ministry during WW2. Our next few destinations were: one of the remaining sections of the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, and the location of the first Nazi book burnings at the Bebelplatz. We had our final stop of the day at the German parliament building, the Reichstag. We had the opportunity to see where congress operates and the meeting rooms of different political parties. We closed off our day with a trip to the large dome that sits on the top of the building, where we received a breathtaking view of the city. - Luke '26

Along the Border: We started our day at Estrella del Paso, a legal services provider for migrants, where Imelda Maynard explained the process of legal immigration and the many government agencies involved. Following that, we went to a scenic view that overlooked the city of El Paso and the Mexican border. We headed back to Las Cruces and stopped for a pick-me-up at a local coffee shop, where one of our Border Servant Corps (BSC) guides had spent a lot of time during college. In Las Cruces, we visited BSC headquarters and its only remaining hospitality center for migrants. As BSC is FEMA-funded, the director explained how the current administration's policies and funding cuts have drastically changed the work the organization does, as there are no longer any migrants to serve. We ended the day with a group dinner, a leadership activity, and reflection.

Saturday, May 31

Italy: Today was a great day of adventure and travel! We woke up early and grabbed the to-go breakfast that the hotel packed us and went to the train station. We caught a train from Florence to Naples. From there, we headed to Pompeii, where we were guided through the historical site of the ruins of the city. We were enamored by the preserved site of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. We observed many preserved frescos, which are paintings that are stained into fresh plaster. We then drove for an hour down to the coast to our monastery stay in Sorrento. Our lovely dinner overlooking the water included zucchini pasta and chicken. To end the day we took a long walk to get delicious gelato! - Mollie '26

Peru: We got to the office at 9 for a Spanish lesson, where we learned about how to haggle prices in the market. After our lesson, we took a 40-minute bus ride to a textile farm where we met Evangeline and her family. She taught us about the process of making her textiles. We started by shearing wool, then we cleaned it with natural detergents. After that, she showed us how to spin it, then she taught us about natural dyes in different colors. She then demonstrated how she makes the different types of textiles, like bracelets, scarves and blankets. Soon after, we had lunch, which was soup, quinoa, chicken, and potatoes, and we then got to shop around and buy things that Evangeline and her family had made.

Architecture in Chicago: On Friday, we hopped on the L to visit the Bahai temple and then headed to Northwestern University for a self guided tour. After trying out Chicago's famous deep dish pizza we headed back for the night. Saturday morning we woke up and went on the L to downtown. We did a 90-minute boat tour along the Chicago River. After the tour we walked to the Willis Tower and went to the top, getting to view Chicago from 103 floors up. For the remainder of the afternoon we walked and sketched buildings in the loop. We all met back together and saw the bean and took pictures before we headed to dinner.

England

Along the Border: We began our day going to the farmers market in Las Cruces, where we found luchadores masks and other gifts. We enjoyed agua frescas, horchata, and street tacos. We had a picnic lunch at Chamizal National Park, which memorialized a once-disputed borderland between the U.S. and Mexico. We played soccer and frisbee in the field right at the border. We also went to The El Paso History Museum in downtown El Paso. We then met with Cecilia, who worked as an airport liaison for Border Servant Corps. We found her to be extremely sweet and wise. We returned to Las Cruces and went to Peace Lutheran Church for a homemade dinner of green chile enchiladas. As we wrapped up the day, we went to Caliche's for frozen custard and caught the sunset.

Sunday, June 1

Italy: We began our day early as we headed from Sorrento to Rome. Our tour of Ancient Rome was led by a friend of Dr. Phelps. It was amazing to see history that we had only heard in the classroom brought to life! During a small part of the tour our group was split, leading to unique experiences for both groups. Half saw the House of Livia and the other the House of Augustus (Livia's husband and first emperor of Rome). To end our day, we traveled through the Italian metro to an outdoor restaurant. Though the Sicilian restaurant seemed to specialize in seafood, they had many pasta options, leaving something for everyone. Overall it offered a taste of Italy we had not yet seen and deviated from our norm. We are so excited to see what comes next! - Esther '27

Spain (Day with homestay families): I started the day by driving to a nearby mountain, where we met some of Dario’s friends to go rock climbing. It was a short hike up to the site where the rocks were. After reaching the area, I was impressed when I watched some of the more experienced guys climb seemingly vertical rock faces with few places to step. Eventually, I tried one of the rocks that was a little more manageable. It turned out to be a fun experience. After this we went back home to meet Lily, Julia, Nerea, and Mora. We had a great lunch with many different types of traditional Spanish meats and other foods. We ended up talking and playing cards for so long that we ended up eating dinner at the same spot around 9! Overall, the day was an exciting new experience in the morning followed by a relaxing afternoon. - Taylor '26

Wellness: We had great highlights from this past week, including a birdwatching adventure in First Landing State Park with Travis Carroll '25, who is incredibly knowledgeable about all kinds of wildlife and even wrangled a red-bellied water snake (not venomous); a self-directed visit at the Chrysler Museum in which students reflected, wrote, and sketched in front of works of their own choosing; and a hot yoga class at Hot House that was a perfect introduction to the practice--it was intense but not overwhelming, and our teacher Amy Brittain did a great job of tailoring the class to newcomers. We also continued our daily practices of meditation, silent reading, artistic creation, journaling, and letter writing.

Along the Border: Today we started by leaving Las Cruces and heading to BSC (Border Servant Corps) Headquarters, where we got a tour of their facilities and did volunteer work. Also at BSC, we enjoyed a call with Jesus Osuna, a man who immigrated from Venezuela. He shared the graphic details of his hard immigration journey to the U.S. In the afternoon, we explored White Sands National Park and then headed to Holy Cross Retreat Center, where we will be next.

Chicago: We started the morning with a scavenger hunt around the Wrigley neighborhood. We stopped at many buildings, sketching different features and creating a new architecture style for each one. We then met to enter Wrigley Field. We watched the Cubs beat the Reds.

Germany: On the first day of my free weekend with my host family, we went to an island in the North Sea called Borkum. We first drove around 2 hours before boarding our ferry to get to the island. On the ferry ride we played Uno, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, and Kniffel, which is a German dice game. After arriving at Borkum, we rode a colorful train to our hotel and unpacked before heading to the beach. We walked around for a bit and I collected shells. The beach also had jellyfish, crabs, and seals. After our walk on the beach, we got food before meeting Lieselotte’s aunt, uncle, and cousins and getting ice cream. I tried Spaghettieis for the first time and enjoyed it. The next day I woke up around 7:45. After breakfast, we pre-packed our stuff for the train leaving later. Then, Lieselotte’s mom and sister took me around the island, where we saw an old lighthouse and a small museum. We also saw the oldest house on the island. After shopping we took another trip to the beach. Since it was low tide, I saw black sand for the first time. After finishing our walk on the beach, we played more Kniffel before heading to an Italian restaurant. We then finished our lunch before grabbing our stuff to get on the train back to the ferry. After the ferry ride we drove back to the house and relaxed for the rest of the day. - Maryne '26

Monday, June 2

Greece: Today was our second day in Nafplio and the Peloponnese. We first went to the theater at Epidaurus and the healing sanctuary of Asklepios, learning about Greek comedy. We then went to the Melas olive farm to learn about the cultivation of olives and the production of olive oil. We then went to the oldest archeological site of the trip, Franchthi Cave, and learned about the earliest human inhabitants of Greece. We traveled through the beautiful Peloponnesian hills, studded with olive groves and wind turbines. We then returned to Nafplio and explored the town. Finally we set out to climb the stairs to the Venetian castle of Palamidi, which is a thousand stairs high according to Mr. Vaughn. The hike turned into a grueling race, but the view from the top was worth it. It was most interesting to learn about ancient life here in the Peloponnese, seeing how people came to Epidaurus for the theater and healing, and how olive trees have been cultivated over thousands of years. - Davis '26

On our seventh day in Greece, we headed on a bus ride to the Corinth Canal, which connects the Saronic Gulf to the Gulf of Argos. Next was the ancient city of Corinth, in which we saw the ancient Roman Forum and the Temple of Apollo. While there, we learned how they excavated. After seeing the site, we walked inside the museum, exploring the ancient artifacts of both Corinth and the ancient civilizations around. Additionally, we handled artifacts that were thousands of years old, which came from a spring in Corinth. After lunch, we went to the costal city of Nafplio, a once capital of Greece. Once at Nafplio, we took a boat ride to a Venetian castle just off the coast and had a tour given by Mr. Levine as we sailed around the city. - Lila '26 and Allie '27

 

Community Engagement: We had a tour of the Operation Smile headquarters. It’s amazing that a nonprofit as successful as Op-Smile is so local and close to us. Our tour guide Isabelle taught us about cleft lips and cleft palates and how the organization strives to provide surgeries for children in under-developed countries. We learned that the volunteers are the key to success and that the surgeons and nurses learn as much as they help their patients. Their goal is to cure cleft lips and palates by finding the source of the problem. They have already done research about what may cause the disability and have found that inhalation of smoke from indoor stoves by pregnant mothers correlates with cleft disabilities. They are continuing their research to find the root causes of the issue, but in the meantime they are committed to continuing to provide surgeries that can change the lives of young patients. Operation Smile is also taking steps to ensure that poor rural communities can have safe drinking water. We concluded our visit by filling out encouraging postcards for volunteers to take on their next surgical mission to give to patients as they recover. - Elise-Marie '26

Peru: We drove this morning to Incan ruins and saw an old church under renovations. We saw what was the Temple to the Rainbow. Afterwards, we started our 4-hour hike down the mountain. The views were beautiful and we stopped for lunch by a massive waterfall. We finished our hike, walking next to rivers and on the edges of water channels. - Andrew '27

Tuesday, June 3

Along the Border: We had an early start to go to the U.S. District Court in Las Cruces, to listen to the morning docket of hearings about a variety of issues at the border. After lunch, we toured Old Mesilla, at an old town square where some of Billy the Kid's infamous exploits took place. In the afternoon, we met with Amanda Skinner, a public defender in New Mexico, and she spoke eloquently about the Constitution, practicing law, and the importance of due process for all people under the law. We then returned to the Holy Cross Retreat Center for a writing and reflection activity followed by guitar strumming, spikeball, juggling, and talking under the stars.

Greece: After checking out from Nafplio, the group headed to Mycenae, a place we had not given much thought to since its mentioning in our 8th grade English classes, through The Odyssey. When we reached Mycenae, we learned about the tholos tombs (also called beehive tombs), and the engineering genius that was required for their creation. First the students visited the largest of these, called the Treasury of Atreus. Here, students were shocked when learning about how these domes were made in the Bronze Age; they stacked hundreds, if not thousands, of curved stones on top of each other. More shocking was the lintel—a single slab at the top of the doorway—that was so massive that 1,000 men were needed to transport it! Despite the size of the lintel, the Mycenaeans had to build relieving arches to help disperse the weight of the dome (as well as the hill above it). After this, the group went to see the ruins of the ancient city itself, and discovered many aspects of Mycenaean life with Mr. Levine’s help. After diving into the Bronze Age, the group had a long drive to Galaxidi, during which the most picturesque of landscapes always surrounded them. To end the day, we relaxed and explored Galaxidi and enjoyed a peaceful group dinner with a more peaceful view. This day was filled with shock, awe, and beauty, and we can’t wait for the rest of the Greek wonders we get to see! - Adi '26

Germany: After boarding the bus, we arrived at Bremerhaven’s German Emigration Center where we explored journeys of emigrants from that port. These emigrants’ stories date back to 1830. My historic figure was Hannah Levinsky-Koevary. Her parents were Polish Holocaust survivors who had no life to return to, so she was born in a displaced people’s camp in Bavaria. And through the many original documents donated by Hannah herself, I followed her small family’s path across the Atlantic into the harbor of New York City to where Hannah eventually settles down in Jerusalem with her husband. We then drove to Bremen. We visited the Bremer Ratskeller, Bremen’s city hall’s cellar, where my parents got married in 1999. We saw the room that my parents had their wedding reception in. We then met our walking tour guide outside the Bremen cathedral. She took us through the history of the gorgeous building and then led us Schnoor quarter. This is the oldest district in Bremen. And the narrow roads winding through the neighborhood of old 15th/16th century houses remind me of the old town streets of my mother’s hometown in China. When then looped around to the Böttcherstraße, the barrel street, where we watched a small bell performance that rings every hour. The building beside the bells rotated throughout the performance flashing small historic panels that mentioned all the major captains that traveled across the Atlantic to North America. Our guide then ended her tour in front of the city hall, more specifically a chocolate story in the same square. Frau Dewey then released us to explore the city. We ended the day back in front of the Bremen cathedral. - Eliana '26

Community Engagement: We took a trip to the new ForKids location in Chesapeake. Our tour guide, Jennifer DesRoches, showed us around the 4-year-old building (ForKids moved from Colley Avenue in Norfolk to a newly designed facility) and taught us more about their contributions to the homeless community in Southeastern Virginia. She mentioned how the open and inviting environment, created by the use of floor-to-ceiling windows everywhere, makes many of the participants in their programs feel comfortable. She talked to us about all the different programs to help house, feed, clothe, educate, and provide safety to those families with children in need. Their goal is to help families struggling to keep a roof over their head and those who find themselves without a safe place to stay. At the end of our tour, we did an exercise to simulate how to balance finances, and if you run into certain situations, what you choose to do with your money when it is scarce. We learned that a slight change in financial circumstance can send a family into a crisis. Afterwards, we met with Leila Mills, from TechArk, to receive their feedback on our marketing projects for the Foodbank. Finally, we each reflected on our experience this Maymester and how it has affected us and how we see the world. - Kirtley '26

Architecture in Chicago: This morning we stopped by the Black History Museum at the University of Chicago and sketched the building while getting a lesson about the history of the neighborhoods. We then walked through the university and found six separate buildings of different architecture. We had to draw and describe why each was the architecture style it was. After, we toured the Robbie house. 

Wednesday, June 4

Italy: We began our final full day in Italy bright and early to make our way to Vatican City. Our first stop was Saint Peter’s Basilica, where we walked through the holy doors that are only open to the public every 25 years on the Jubilee year. Walking into the Basilica, we were amazed at the extraordinary architecture and excellent craftsmanship of the architects and artists. We were fortunate enough to see La Pietà by Michelangelo and walk through the Basilica while admiring a building that is such an integral part of Christianity. Afterwards we made our way to the Vatican museum where we saw famous artworks by Ancient Greeks and Romans, Raphael, and Michelangelo such as The School of Athens and the Sistine Chapel. Students and teachers alike were blown away by the intricate and masterful frescos that cover the ceiling and the walls of the Sistine Chapel. After lunch, we took a walking tour of the grounds of the American University of Rome, Trastevere, and the nearby Jewish Ghetto. We ended our last day with an amazingly curated seafood dinner where we recreated The Last Supper.

Spain: These past few days have been a blast! My host sister, Elisa, and her family have been welcoming and I am so grateful. I feel like I am at home! Elisa and I have gotten along so well and I can tell she will have a good time doing the things I enjoy when she comes to the U.S. since we have so much in common. Today, we went to a popular place for tapas in Villalba called La Ramona. Later we watched a soccer practice at the place where the town has its sports complex and the field was huge! There was also a playground for adults and children, so we played on that and tested the different body weight machines. We always venture back to la Plaza de Toros because that seems to be the town meeting spot and where people our age grab a bite to eat. I am sad to be leaving. Spain has been great and I am so excited for the girls to come to the U.S. - Sabrina '26  

Along the Border: We began our day with a guided tour of the Border Patrol Museum, and we learned about the history of all U.S. borders, its Border Patrol Agents, their tools, and history. After the museum, we went to the border wall, and surveyed what the situation on the ground looked like. In the afternoon, we had a lecture and seminar with Dr. Nicholas Natividad about the border region, its history, and relationship to various other legal and social issues. Our day ended with a laughter-filled dinner and a final reflection where each Along the Border student and teacher talked about three things: something that rocked them, something that they were going to let go, and something that will stick with them from this Maymester.

Architecture in Chicago: Today was a long but fun day! We started by taking the L to the Hancock tower. There, we went up 96 floors and got tilted 35 degrees to face the ground nearly 100 stories beneath us. After that, we walked down the Magnificent Mile in smaller groups. After lunch, we reconvened to talk to Laura Read at SOM, where we got a tour of the place and saw cool models. Our drawing activity was in a small park and we got to draw our favorite building in the area. To finish the day, we went to see the musical Tina Turner at the Cadillac Theatre. The interior of the theater was vintage and beautifully designed. The musical accurately told the endearing story of Tina Turner and her life. - Siya '26

Community Engagement: At the Foodbank we started by sharing our marketing projects with the CEO, Mr. Tan. After Mr. Tan took a look at each of our projects, he thanked us for the effort and high quality of the work that we produced, and he promised that we would see much of the material we provided put to good use in the media campaign for the Foodbank. Then we made our way to the warehouse to volunteer. We packed 282 food boxes that were going to be used by seniors in need, and we were so efficient that we ended up finishing earlier than expected. To make our stomachs happy after all that work, we enjoyed a lovely lunch at Doumar’s! To wrap up our day we met Mr. Peccie’s bulldogs before heading back to Norfolk Academy. - Maite '27