Rocky Mount Academy’s Global Studies Honors Program encourages students to learn, explore, and experience the world outside of the walls of a classroom through study, volunteer work, travel, and cultural exchanges.  This summer, ten adventurous Rocky Mount Academy high school students enjoyed eight days learning, serving, and exploring Belize.  The trip was organized by Rebecca Watkins and Appleseed Expeditions.  Students spent their first day in Belize volunteering at Liberty Children’s Home, playing with the children and leaving a donation of much needed medicine, food, and clothing.  Thomas Moore shared, “I will never forget being able to bond so quickly with the kids from the children’s home.  It was an amazing experience to be able to play soccer and interact with the children.”  The following days were spent exploring and learning about the history of the Mayan Indigenous culture, native animals, geology, environmental science, and marine biology.  Students enjoyed activities such as: climbing the Mayan pyramids at Xunantunich, learning about native mythology, floating on inner tubes throughout caves where the ancient Mayans performed rituals, zip lining and observing birds and howler monkeys in the jungle. The students even spent several days snorkeling the barrier reef and learning about the delicate balance between conservation and development.  While snorkeling with nurse sharks on the last day in Belize, Jacob Watkins exclaimed, “This trip confirmed what I want to do in life: study sharks and genetics!”  Many thanks to Mark Allen, Bailey Beddingfield, Guy Deyton, Thomas Griffin, Caleb Lambert, Thomas Moore, Averi Parker, Jarrett Snipes, Justin Snipes, and Jacob Watkins for making the trip a huge success and representing Rocky Mount Academy so well everywhere they went.

Article and pictures contributed by Rebecca Watkins