From left are Ana McCoy, Jessica Toller, Alyssa Benecke, Bailee Carmon, Rhionna Sims, Bailey Crane, Meg McCoy, Cathy Brainerd, Diamond Mitchell, Mitzi Johnson and Maddie Howell touring a federal government fortress in Madrid, Spain.For 34 years, Soddy-Daisy High Spanish teacher Cathy Brainerd dreamed of taking her students to Spain. Finally, this summer she and nine of her students had the opportunity to experience a life-changing trip to Spain and Morocco.
“It’s a huge opportunity for the kids,” said parent Ana McCoy, who also went on the trip. “It’s not just about seeing new places. They get a new viewpoint on life and are more willing to take new challenges and see new opportunities.”
The rising juniors and seniors who went had just finished Spanish 3 and got the chance to practice their skills in Madrid, Grenada, Toledo and Costa del Sol in Spain for 10 days, during which time the group also visited nearby Morocco. During the course of the trip they traveled by subway, ferry, plane and bus.
It was somewhat difficult to communicate with the Spanish natives, said Maddie Howell, but the students were able to get by since most people there knew English.
Megan McCoy said she most enjoyed the freedom of exploring the beach town of Costa del Sol.