Students and teachers from Loyola Academy’s Dumbach Scholars Program went on a trip to New York City this past weekend.
Dumbach is a program for Loyola sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are interested in the arts and humanities. Students in the program learn about art history, read books, watch films, see plays, and take field trips.
One of the field trips offered was this adventure to New York City. Thirty students and four teachers left for New York on Friday, Feb. 14 and returned home on Monday, Feb. 17.
Mrs. Shifrin, the head moderator of Dumbach, said she chose New York City because “it has tons of art, architecture, theater, food, and history.”
And the Dumbach Scholars were able to explore all of these aspects during their time in the Big Apple.
The group attended a Broadway performance of Hell’s Kitchen, the story of Alicia Keys’ life. Students were able to compare it to other shows they have seen with Dumbach such as Hamilton, A Christmas Carol, and & Juliet.
“I loved Hell’s Kitchen so much,” senior Lucy Rossman said. “It even made me cry at the end.”
One of the biggest highlights of the trip was going to the many art museums that New York City has to offer. They spent time at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Guggenheim, and The Museum of Modern Art.
This was so meaningful to Dumbach members, as AP Art History is a required course for the program and many of the works of art they studied are in these museums.
“It was amazing to see art in person that we had learned about in class,” junior Jacqueline Willer said.
Some of this art included The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh and Improvisation 28 by Vassily Kandinsky.
Everyone was able to draw connections to things they had studied and were excited to learn even more.
“It was not just an extension of what’s learned in the classroom itself, but really a deep demonstration of students taking their learning seriously in the real world,” Mr. Dugan, one of the chaperones, said.
The group was also able to visit museums outside of art. They spent Monday morning at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
Mr. Dugan found that this was one of the best parts for him. “I was so impressed by the courtesy shown at the 9/11 Museum and questions that came with it,” he said.
Many students said they enjoyed this experience as well and felt they learned a lot from it.
However, the trip grew to be about so much more than what they did or learned, but about the conversations and connections it sparked.
“It was so much fun because I got to be with some of my best friends and meet new people,” Rossman said.
As much as Dumbach students love to learn, they also love to talk about their learning. They would rave together over everything they experienced and after each museum everyone would discuss what they saw.
Mrs. Shifrin and Mr. Dugan both noticed how they were able to have genuine conversations with the students about their experiences, their favorite art, and even their favorite books and music.
“I tend to think New York City brings out the best in terms of art and curiosity,” Mr. Dugan said.
The group boarded the plane on Monday and headed back to Chicago, but their time in New York was not forgotten.
“I was really sad to leave,” Willer said. “But now, I have amazing memories to look back on.”
