Sights and service: Students’ summer trips

Above: Smiles in Scotland. Seniors Eleanor Kolterman, Helen Christen, Lilliana Palmer, Aubrey Mattox, Lauren Lazure, Magdelynn Frankenfield, Audrey Morey, Brooklyn Salzbrenner, Izumi Huang Fujiwara, Isabella Barnes, Sofia Bostrom, Charlotte Holcomb, Sydney Schulze, Mary Janssen, Lauren Camp, Isa Valencia Valbuena, Casey Cizek, Eleanor Thibodeau, Katherine Efaw, Sophia Losole, Claire Pogge pose for a photo in Edinburgh, Scotland. Photo courtesy of Eleanor Thibodeau '26. 

Story by Niamh McGarry '26

From sightseeing historic churches in Scotland to installing an aqueduct in the Dominican Republic, Marian girls had the opportunity to build connections and immerse themselves in international cultures this past summer.

This past May, 10 girls went to the Dominican Republic for Marian’s annual service trip. The students spent their days digging out a no longer functional aqueduct and installing new pipes for residents to have access to running water. Senior Molly Herek was beyond grateful for this opportunity and said “this trip really opened my eyes and made me want to be an overall kinder person to everyone.” 

For the D.R. service trip, students go through a 2-step application process, consisting of written responses, and then an in-person interview. Many months before taking off, the students raise money to cover the cost of the trip. This year they had to raise $3,500 per person. Herek said she raised enough money with the fundraisers they had to completely cover the trip. “We had ice cream on Walls Night which was big, wine tasting for adults, and a lot of personal donations which was also super big.” 

Along with the Dominican Republic service trip, around 50 Marian girls packed their bags for a 12-day trip to Scotland, Ireland and England in early June. Junior Harper Cowles said, “this was such an exciting experience where I was able to grow closer with my classmates and visit new parts of the world.” 

Math teacher Ms. Megan Han, one of the seven teacher chaperones that went on the trip, said, “Scotland was unlike anything I had seen in my life, with its quaint cities and cool atmosphere. I was amazed by everywhere we went.” 

Han also reflects on her experience leaving the country for the first time and going on a school trip. She encourages any students who are thinking about going as an opportunity to “step outside of your comfort zone and get insight on how other parts of the world works.” These school-offered trips give students and faculty the ability to travel the world when they might not have the time or opportunity otherwise. 

Unlike the Dominican Republic trip, there are not fundraisers for non-service trips, such as the Scotland, Ireland and England trip. Students had to pay for the trip, including transportation, housing, food and any other souvenirs. However, there were discount opportunities to allow all students the ability to travel. Most students paid around $5,546. 

Coming up in the future, there are more trip opportunities for current underclassmen and future freshman students. In the summer of 2026, there will be a trip to Japan and in 2027 a trip to Iceland. Although the deadline for registration of the Japan trip has already passed, there are still plenty of future trips available for anyone who has an interest. 

Below: Solo Sonrisas. Sophia Sparwasser ’26, Charlotte Gautschi ’27, Alena Kehm ’26, Molly Herek ’26, Sienna Maiers ’26, Maeve Wharton ’26 pose for a photo at their campo in La Descubierta. Photo courtesy of Maeve Wharton '26.