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Runge senior class takes trip to the inauguration

Anonymous donor makes it possible for students to go to D.C.

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  • Rubi Reyes •
  • Originally published January 17, 2009 at 11:14 p.m., updated January 17, 2009 at 11:14 p.m.

RUNGE - While millions of people watch on television as Barack Obama is sworn in as the country's next president on Tuesday, the senior class of Runge High School will be there to see it live.

The 17-member senior class decided in March they would make the trip to the inauguration as their senior trip, and began raising money for it.

As they planned and held fundraisers throughout the summer, they never anticipated the trip would become a reality.

"We're just students from a small town and we never thought we would be able to go to Washington, D.C., much less for the inauguration," Gabby Espericueta, 17, said.

Jeff Steele, social studies teacher, approached the students about making the inauguration their senior class trip after he received a brochure from WorldStrides, a student travel company.

"I thought this would be a great trip, even before we knew who the president would be," Steele said. "The historical aspect of the inauguration is exciting."

By the summer, the students had raised about $7,100 of the more than $30,000 needed for the trip.

Some students moved old furniture from the schools in Runge to earn money to pay for their portion of the trip, said Paloma Reyes, 17.

"The administration offered to pay us for helping move out the old desks and chairs," she said.

Before the end of the summer, an anonymous benefactor donated more than $23,000 to the senior class trip.

"Our principal and Mr. Steele had our senior class come together for a meeting at 8 a.m. to tell us the good news," Paloma said. "I was shocked that someone would donate that much money."

As the date for departure draws near, the students are starting to get a little nervous because only four of the 17 students have flown on an airplane, Gabby said.

"I'm nervous about the flight because I've never been on a plane," she said. "But being able to see the first African-American president sworn in makes it all worth it."

The students will depart from San Antonio International Airport on Sunday and return on Wednesday, Steele said.

"I'm excited and thankful to all the people that helped us make this trip possible," said Loree Nuñez, class president.

Loree, who turned 18 two days after the election, was unable to vote, but her classmate, Steve Peña, 18, did vote.

"Even though the candidate I voted for did not win, I'm still excited about being able to attend the inauguration," Steve said.

The students also plan to attend the vice presidential inauguration, visit several Smithsonian museums, the national monuments, Arlington National Cemetery, President John F. Kennedy's grave and attend the inaugural parade.

"Even though this is their senior class trip, they will keep a journal and do worksheets provided by WorldStrides about all the sites they were able to see and what they learned," Steele said.

The students will also visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, where they will do etchings of Runge soldiers' names, Paloma said. The students will present a slide show of their trip to the community at a later date.

"This trip is something I will never forget," Paloma said.

  • RUNGE SENIOR TRIP DONORS

    Caraway Ford in Nixon

    Lancaster Industries in Cuero

    Falls City National Bank

    Mr. Bowman - need a first name

    Rio Grande Resources

    Kramer Body and Frame in Kenedy

    Trust Texas Bank

    Pioneer Natural Resources

    Jeanne Bowman

    ...
  • SHOW ALL »

    • RUNGE SENIOR TRIP DONORS

    Caraway Ford in Nixon

    Lancaster Industries in Cuero

    Falls City National Bank

    Mr. Bowman - need a first name

    Rio Grande Resources

    Kramer Body and Frame in Kenedy

    Trust Texas Bank

    Pioneer Natural Resources

    Jeanne Bowman

    Black Brush

    Runge Ladies Auxiliary

    Stallion Oilfield Services

    Carmen Steele

    Herff Jones

    The 17 students will be chaperoned by Jeff Steele, history teacher; Jo Ann Villarreal, principal; and Jessica McDaniel, history teacher.



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