STEUBENVILLE — Steubenville High School students will continue to explore the world as they embark on their latest journey abroad this spring. Approximately 50 students in grades 9 through 12, as well as adults, will be going to Greece and Turkey from May 29 to June 7. Stops will include Athens, the Greek Isles and Turkey.

Led by gifted director Jackie Reeves and guidance counselor Adele Filtz, the group will depart Pittsburgh International Airport to Athens, where they will take a guided tour of the Ancient Olympic Stadium, Acropolis and more. They will participate in a traditional cooking class, visit an olive farm in Amfissa Valley and sightsee at Delphi. The excursion will continue with a cruise to the islands of Mykonos, Santorini and Rhodes, before moving on to Turkey to view the Ancient Ephesus.

The Globetrotters will return to Athens and take a day trip to Cape Sounion, enjoy traditional Greek food, music and dancing prior to departing for home. Reeves said this will be the Globetrotters’ second trip since the group last traveled to London, Paris and the Italian cities of Rome, Florence and Milan last year. She added many of those students had a wonderful experience and were returning for this year’s trip.

“There are 49 travelers, including 36 students and 13 adults,” Reeves continued. “We’re really excited for Greece because they get to experience Athens and go on a cruise ship. We’d reviewed the most-popular tours and a lot of students wanted to explore Greece. It was recommended last year by the tour leaders.”

EF Tours is handling the preparations. Reeves said a majority of parents have opted to regularly-pay toward the trip; however, a series of fundraisers have been held to raise money for the students. Fundraising has included DiCarlo’s Pizza sales, bundt cakes sales and the selling of T-shirts. Another is planned for spring. Reeves said she and Filtz previously discussed the Globetrotters idea, but plans were sidelined by the COVID pandemic. Efforts resumed once the travel protocols subsided.

“I have several colleagues in other districts who used EF Tours and I reached out to them,” Reeves said, adding the trip came together quickly. Future plans are to travel to Ireland and Scotland next year, then take a brief hiatus before planning another trek in 2028.

Students will take a Greek experience course during Maymester to prepare for the sojourn. Reeves stated these are once-in-a-lifetime experiences that not only bring history, culture and education to the forefront, but help to establish a connection with students.

“It is truly amazing to be in this environment and interacting with other cultures,” Reeves said. “It opens our minds. You get immersed in other cultures and recognize there are other free nations. It’s amazing to see the students’ growth during the trip.”

“The students could not wait to have another opportunity to go abroad,” Reeves added. “You become so close with them on these trips and come home with bonds. I am eager to explore with the students and see it through their eyes.”

Junior Isabella Fletcher attended last year’s trip and said she is eager to go overseas again. “I’m excited to go because I made connections with people I never talked to before while I was there,” Fletcher commented. “We explored places I’d never been to because it’s rather exorbitant, otherwise. I’m going to dream places and Greece is on my bucket list. When you read a history book, you only get a sense of things. But when you are there it makes it more tangible.”

“It’s an eye-opening experience for them and it’s truly once in a lifetime,” Reeves concluded.