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Published: Wednesday, 25 July 2018 20:42

Washington, D.C.­­—The SYTA Youth Foundation (SYF) awarded students from five schools in Puerto Rico the Silver Lining Program’s second all-expense-paid trip of the year, in partnership with the American Experience Foundation’s (AEF) 2018 Rite of Passage field trip, July 20 – 23.

The Silver Lining Program mission is to recognize deserving students who have demonstrated through their action, intention or circumstance the desire to expand their awareness, creating a dramatic life change. This year through Silver Lining Programs, SYF has granted two all-expenses paid trips for 55 students, teachers and chaperones.

Middle school students traveled from across Puerto Rico to the nation’s capital for a three-day cultural excursion. Selected schools are Dr. Antonio S. Pedreira (Moca, PR); Aristides Cales Quiros (Guayanilla, PR); Su Luis Muñoz Rivera (Quebradillas, PR); Superintendencia De Escuelas Católicas de San Juan (San Juan, PR) and Pablo Colon Berderia (Barranquitas, PR).

SYF worked with a Viajes A+ and the American Experience Foundation to provide a silver lining for these affected students. Schools were selected by the tour operator, Viajes A+, based on the destruction in their city. Viajes A+ wanted to spread the travel opportunity to multiple corners of the island.

Destination DC and SYF guided students throughout the city for a unique, only-in-Washington, D.C., experience.

“Travel has the ability to expand your world view, and many of us probably remember a time when we took an influential field trip,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO, Destination DC.

“Destination DC and our hospitality partners are joining forces to provide this Rite of Passage field trip to Puerto Rican students who might otherwise not experience this type of milestone. I am proud to support and expose these students to our nation’s capital and the travel industry.”

“Opportunities like the Rite of Passage field trip are incredibly rewarding for our students and young adults,” said Leah Chandler, CMO, Discover Puerto Rico. “The impact of travel alters a traveler’s perspective once back home. In the case of Puerto Rican youth, travel can only accelerate the development of Puerto Rico's next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators.”   

Washington, D.C., is the top student travel destination in the United States, according to SYTA member tour operators. The field trip was designed to enrich the lives of these students by exposing them to attractions with historic significance, cultural understanding and the power of tourism.

“This is a particularly rewarding experience as these students have had an especially challenging year,” said Carylann Assante, executive director of SYTA and the SYTA Youth Foundation.

“Travel is an education in itself for young people and the opportunity to participate in the Rite of Passage field trip in partnership with AEF will allow students to take the lessons learned in the classroom and bring them to life.”

Local partners who have contributed transportation, accommodations, attraction passes, tours and meals include: Ben's Chili Bowl, BF Saul Hospitality, Big Bus Washington, DC, Buca Di Beppo/Earl Enterprises, Crowne Plaza National Airport, Discover Puerto Rico, Entertainment Cruises, Fly My Group, Hard Rock Cafe, International Spy Museum, Jaleo Crystal City/Think Food Group, Madame Tussauds Washington, DC, Maricar Donato Guide Services, Newseum, Norm Hull & Associates, Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Starr Tours & Charters, Student Watchers, U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, U.S. Capitol Visitors Center and Viajes A+. 

Washington NationalsThe SYTA Youth Foundation (SYF), the philanthropic division of the Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA), provides access to travel opportunities for young people that would otherwise be unavailable due to family economic hardship, budget cuts in school systems or simply lack of access to or education about travel as a learning experience. The SYTA Youth Foundation is focused on changing young lives through travel. www.sytayouthfoundation.org

The American Experience Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity affiliated with Destination DC, enriches the lives of students through inspirational travel experiences and educational opportunities to cultivate the next generation of hospitality industry professionals. AEF offers students an introduction to the wonder of travel and exposure to hospitality career paths through: free field trips for low-income 8th graders from Washington, DC and across the country; scholarships to qualified DC high school Academies of Hospitality and Tourism students and graduates; and educational programs to connect students to hospitality industry professionals and ensure college and career readiness. www.americanexperiencefoundation.org

Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of 1,000 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. www.washington.org

Discover Puerto Rico is a newly established private, not for-profit enterprise whose mission is to make Puerto Rico visible to the world as a premier travel destination. The DMO will bring prosperity to the people of Puerto Rico by collaboratively positioning the Island’s diversity and uniqueness for leisure, business and events.  It is responsible for all global marketing, sales and promotion of the destination and must work collaboratively with key local governmental and non-governmental players throughout Puerto Rico’s visitor economy and community at large, while powering economic growth. www.discoverpuertorico.com

Contact
Danielle Davis, Director of Communications
Destination DC & American Experience Foundation
202-789-7046; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Rebecca Doser, Media Relations Manager, Trade
Destination DC & American Experience Foundation
202-789-7079; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Carylann Assante, Executive Director
SYTA and SYTA Youth Foundation
703-610-1263; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Leah Chandler, Chief Marketing Officer
Discover Puerto Rico
787-925-7251; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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