Last week, 32 Crookston High School art students made a trip to Chicago to take in art of all kinds and of course some tourist items. This was the sixth time Crookston High School students traveled to Chicago. Each day, they would see a tourist attraction in the morning, visit a museum in the afternoon and a show each night. The shows they watched were School of Rock on Broadway and Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. The main attraction was the Art Institute of Chicago. “The Institute would boast their Trip Advisor ranking of the third best museum of any kind literally on the planet,” said Crookston High School Art Teacher.
Stegman said they ate authentic Chicago deep dish pizza and Chicago hot dogs at landmark restaurants. “We lived like Chicago would, riding el trains and walking 35 miles while we were there,” said Stegman. The kids explored Millenium Park and took selfies at “The Bean,” shopped the Magnificent Mile, saw Wrigley Field and saw Chicago from the tallest building in America. “The unwritten curriculum taught the kids to be responsible and street savvy as the kids learned to navigate a large city on their own, to live without a car, to interact with diverse people, to exhibit compassion for homeless, to recognize sheep from wolves,” said Stegman. “Artistically, and maybe the most profound thing I could say was that the kids learned that art speaks for itself. The art has already impacted the kids. They already have been planning original artistic compositions, discussing literature/theater with their teachers and “how we ought to live,” writing papers, auditioning for the theater production, performing in musical groups. The trip is far from a vacation. It is a total learning experience through immersion in the arts. The kids came home tired and cranky, but more mature. The impact will be felt for years to come.”
The Chaperones on the trip were Jill Carlson, Sue Tiedemann and Chris Bates. “Each time we go, alumni ask to chaperone,” said Stegman. “I get emails and texts from former students wishing us well as they recall their own trip years ago. Thanks to the school for allowing us to go, to chaperones Jill Carlson, Sue Tiedemann and Chris Bates, and thanks to the parents for supporting our program and sending their kids.”
You can hear more about the trip on the Focus on Education program on KROX Radio this Saturday at 8:45 a.m. Tags:
