Embark on the memorable journey with the Grade 9 and 10 students as they jetted off for the vibrant metropolis of Chicago, nestled along the picturesque shores of Lake Michigan. Amidst the hum of excitement, they boarded the bus eagerly anticipating - none other than the beloved emporium of America’s treasures, Target.

The dawn of a new day brought us to their first destination: the dizzying heights of 360 Chicago, where they admired the panoramic views with the option to be tilted off the 1000-foot landmark to witness the stunning skylines and water views.

A trip to Chicago would not be complete without indulging in its culinary delights, and what better way to savor the flavors of the city than with a mouthwatering pizza lunch? Energized and fueled for fun, the students enjoyed a series of exhilarating escapades, from laser tag battles to the adrenaline-fueled frenzy of Whirlyball: a sport combining the thrill of lacrosse with the chaos of bumper cars.

Despite the looming warning of a tornado, fate smiled upon our students as they gathered at the iconic Wrigley Field to cheer on the Chicago Cubs. Sadly, we weren’t able to start a whole arena “wave” despite multiple attempts!

The next day they earned their shopping escapade on the bustling streets of the Magnificent Mile after a visit to view the natural wonders of our world at the Field Museum. They observed ancient artifacts, Egyptian mummies, and historic dinosaur bones. That afternoon we pilgrimaged to Millennium Park, where we saw the gleaming contours of "The Bean" which was encompassed by a city’s favourite universal view: construction. Their journey continued as we experienced spiritual enrichment attending mass at St. Peter in the Loop Church, where the halls echoed with harmonious hymns and prayers.

We packed up the bus to head to the infamous Navy Pier where the students soared to heights of nearly 200 feet on the iconic Centennial Wheel and tasted the original Garrett’s Chicago Mix combining caramel and cheddar flavours! On our final evening, the students dawned their fancy new attire to attend a white table-clothed dinner at the Drury Lane Dinner Theatre to watch a popular Broadway performance of “Guys and Dolls” before waking up for the trek back across the border!

- Ms. Minkarious, Ms. Moynagh and Mr. Snowdon, Faculty