Ocean Classroom: Setting Sail for St. Croix

Posted by Scott Allenby

10/26/2014

After being stuck in Charleston, South Carolina for a few extra days due to offshore weather, Ocean Classroom is in the midst of a twelve day passage to St. Croix. Students share reflections on their time in Savannah and expectations for the voyage ahead. 

A few members of the crew share their thoughts as they head into the longest passage of this off-campus program in the video below: 

Since we knew we wouldn't be hearing much from the crew until their arrival in the Virgin Islands, we saved these two powerful journal entries for today's blog. 

Savannah Reflections: Mitchell Curry ‘16

Savannah is a city of restoration, diverse culture, and a great amount of historical significance. Yesterday, we spent the day learning about the history of Savannah. We learned about the founder of the city, ships that contributed to Savannah’s history, pirates and even the haunted aspects of the old city. Walking place to place around the city, it would be near impossible not to absorb a bit more feel for the town’s character with each cobblestone you step on. We walked to city hall and were actually lucky enough to spend some time with the city’s mayor, Edna B. Jackson. She took a bit of time out of her day to talk to us and answer some of our questions. She told us about herself and her own personal history in Savannah, how she acquired the skills necessary to be a leader during the civil rights movement, and that she never thought she’d be where she is today, but people saw something in her that she didn’t see in herself. While speaking to us, she mentioned a few points that I personally (and I think the entire group) can relate to. One of these quotes was, “Had it not been for important people in my life pushing me forward, I would not be sitting up here… I’d be at home, thinking about how it could have been me.” I cannot think of a better way to explain the feeling you get from Ocean Classroom. As privileged as we all are going to school at Proctor, everyone needs to get involved with this program. If you don’t want to do it, have someone important to you talk it over with you, because missing out on an experience like this would be a lifelong regret.

Proctor Academy Ocean Classroom 

Reflections from Our First Long Passage: Andrew Edwards '16

Spending 5 days on the water and not being able to see land is an experience like no other. As you look out over the empty horizon you feel as if you, the ship, and the others with you are the only ones on the planet. Occasional ships passed by, reassuring that we were not the only people alive. Dolphins also swam by, welcoming our company and putting on a show every so often. As I stood on deck at 2100 watching the moon slowly rise above the horizon, dolphins began to put on a surreal aerial show as their silhouettes danced in the moon light. Never before have I seen anything as comparable to that almost unimaginable sight that I luckily witnessed. The sea is full of surprises, and I wonder what more can I expect from the unpredictable ocean?

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