TORONTO—Lifelong memories to cherish are made while attending high school and this year, students in the Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS) Choir collected some spectacular experiences. Some 16 students, ranging from all grades (but the bulk in still in Grade 9) performed at Queen’s Park and took in the sights and sounds of the Big Smoke.
The journey began on a Thursday, when the choir settled into their hotel on Highway 427 before boarding the Go Train and heading into the city and taking in a production of the famed Lin-Manuel musical ‘Hamilton.’
“It was a great production for the students to relate to because ‘Hamilton’ is a great mix of pop, hip hop and choreography,” said guidance councillor Chris Theijsmeijer, who accompanied the students on the trip. The students also gained a glimpse into American history.
On Friday the students performed at the legislature (which is not currently sitting) and took in a guided tour of the seat of provincial government.
Next on the Friday agenda was a visit to Ripley’s Aquarium and a wander around the halls and exhibits of the Royal Ontario Museum.
“Some of the students had never been on a subway,” said Mr. Theijsmeijer.
A unique experience on the trip was enjoying the Toronto Symphony’s rendition of the soundtrack to Star Wars episode eight, ‘Last of the Jedi,’ performed by the musicians as the movie played on a screen overhead.
Finally, there was the trip to the Eaton Centre, offering the students to get in a bit of shopping while in the big city.
As the students were walking down to Union Station, about a block away, they passed a bar with an open front. The crowd inside was watching the final Maple Leaf game and the winning overtime goal that knocked the Leafs out of contention for the Stanley Cup was scored just as they passed.
The choir members then had the experience meeting as over 10,000 fans disgorged from the bowels of the Scotiabank Arena.
The MSS Choir trip was made possible through the fundraising efforts of the students, including the Christmas Concert, bake sales, a frozen Topper’s Pizza fundraiser among the efforts. Students also paid a small amount to cover the remainder of the cost of the trip.
The trip might have lasted only a couple of days, but the memories made will last a lifetime.
