The fall air is always full of anticipation at Valwood for all the usual reasons; the fresh start of a new school year, reuniting with friends, fall sports.  Among the exciting events scheduled each year are the annual class trips.  History and government come to life for eighth graders in Washington, D.C.  Ninth graders experience the great outdoors camping and hiking in North Georgia.  Tenth graders get a taste of "life after Upper School" on the college tour.  The seniors' travel plans vary with the interests of each class.  San Francisco was their destination this year.  In recent years, New York City and Chicago have been on the agenda. 

The eleventh grade trip might not be described in the same glamorous terms, but it is no less enjoyable and impressive.  On Tuesday, September 15, the juniors departed for Atlanta ready to roll up their sleeves and immerse themselves in reaching out to others.

Wednesday morning, a 7:00 a.m. wake-up call rallied the students for their first day as volunteers at MedShare, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the environment and healthcare through the efficient recovery and redistribution of surplus medical supplies and equipment.  The supplies are shipped to underserved healthcare facilities in developing countries. 

As the students worked diligently and efficiently, they were filled with questions for the MedShare employees regarding the use of some of the medical supplies.  The answers to their queries fueled the desire of some to pursue medical careers while a few others decided, on the spot, that they would be following another path. At the end of the second day of hard work, the students had packaged over 300 boxes for shipment to needy countries.

All work and no play?  Hardly!  What would a class trip be without some fun?  The juniors took in a Braves game including a tour of Turner Field.  Before heading home, the group visited the Georgia Aquarium where they were fortunate to see the feeding of the whale sharks and the Asian otters, as well as viewing the beluga whales.

Each class returned with tales of extraordinary opportunities to learn, to build stronger relationships with one another, to explore, and to play.  Lasting memories and valuable lessons were the order of the day.  No doubt, the eleventh grade experienced all this and more- a deep sense of fulfillment in having gone beyond themselves.