Silver Lining 8th Grade Fieldtrip
- Details
- Published: Friday, 27 February 2015 18:47
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 12, 2015—Thirty-one deserving eighth-grade students from Sto-Rox Middle School recently returned home to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania having been forever changed by an incredible educational experience in Washington, D.C., made possible by the SYTA Youth Foundation (SYF) and Destination DC’s philanthropic arm, the American Experience Foundation.
As part of the Silver Lining Program, the American Experience Foundation, Metro Tours, Inc., and SYF collaboratively selected an 8th grade classroom from a low-income area within the United States to participate in a three-day educational program in the nation’s capital.
“SYF is pleased to have joined the American Experience Foundation in changing the lives of young people through an enriching travel experience in Washington, D.C.,” said SYTA executive director, Carylann Assante. "It’s truly incredible to see the students’ deepen their understanding and knowledge of U.S. history."
The Silver Lining Program’s 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. With the help of volunteers, SYF partners, and SYTA annual conference host cities, SYF has impacted nearly 4,000 students since 2006.
“We all enjoyed ourselves and learned so much. I was amazed by the transformation I saw in the students after each of their team building sessions with Norm Hull," said Brenda White, tour director of Metro Tours, Inc.
The 2015 Silver Lining Program would not have been possible without the support and generosity of our valued partners, volunteers, and Wingmen!
A special thank you to:
Hard Rock Cafe Washington D.C.
Hilton Crystal City at Washington Reagan National Airport
Metro Tours, Inc.
About American Experience Foundation
The American Experience Foundation, a 501(c) (3) public charity, develops national programs promoting education about the arts, culture, American democracy and the unique heritage of Washington, D.C., by selecting 8th grade classrooms from low-income areas within the United States and DC metropolitan area for fieldtrips to the nation’s capital. The foundation, managed by Destination DC with the support from District hospitality organizations, also presents the Gregory McCarthy Scholarship annually to one outstanding student at Hospitality High School of Washington, D.C.
About SYTA Youth Foundation
The 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 lack of access to or education about travel as a learning experience. SYF is focused on changing young lives through travel. SYF is celebrating its 15th year of connecting volunteers, in-kind donations, and financial resources from the student and youth travel industry and the public with deserving students and teachers.
About Student & Youth Travel Association
SYTA is the non-profit, professional trade association that promotes student and youth group travel. It seeks to foster integrity and professionalism among student and youth travel service providers. SYTA members play an important role in facilitating both domestic mobility and international incoming and outgoing mobility worldwide. As the voice of student and youth travel, SYTA represents the interests of leading U.S., Canadian and international travel agencies, tour operators, attractions, destinations, educators and suppliers.
For additional information, contact:
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