Return of class trips marked by fundraising

Manville High seniors get a deal on Disney World.

By: Donna Lukiw
   The formerly annual Manville High School senior class trip to Disney World in Florida, canceled by school officials in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, is back.
   After senior class advisor Dianne Miller received a bid she said was too good to pass up from a vender who used to charter the excursion, she sought permission from the Board of Education to plan a trip for the students.
   The board gave its approval, and now, amid the excitement of planning the trip, the senior class has to raise around $699 for each person.
   Consequently, class members have been working hard organizing fundraisers.
   "So far, the majority of the trip will have to come out of their pockets, unless subsequent fundraisers can be profitable," Ms. Miller said.
   After Sept. 11, the tradition was discontinued for safety reasons, but Ms. Miller decided to see if the school could take advantage of an offer from World Class Vacations.
   "I got an offer I couldn’t refuse," Ms. Miller said. "Last year’s senior class advisor had received a package offer from World Class Vacations, the organization that had run our trips prior to 9/11. The agent offered us the same deal, which was an excellent price for four days of a jam-packed Disney itinerary.
   "I discovered that many of my students had neither been to Disney World nor even traveled yet on an airplane, so I thought this would be an exciting, educational and life-broadening experience for the students," she said.
   One fundraiser already in the works is the Winter Wonderland Craft Fair on Dec. 5 at the high school, featuring holiday gifts, baked good and photos with Santa Claus.
   Vendor tables are available for $25, or $30 with use of an electrical outlet. The class also is looking for local businesses that might be interested in helping by donating items.
   Currently, the senior class is having a poinsettia sale, and bake sales have been held at the school.
   "The students were very excited," Ms. Miller said. "The trip organizer did a presentation, showing video clips of other years and other students at Disney World, and the enthusiasm became contagious."
   Out of 75 seniors, Ms. Miller said, about 30 students already have signed up to go to Disney World.
   For more information contact Ms. Miller at 231-8505 or [email protected]