Hi Neighbors! I can’t believe how fast 2025 went. When I think back on last year, almost all my favorite memories came from my school trip to Catalina Island in November. Almost my entire grade went, along with five teachers, and we spent three unforgettable days there. We stayed at the Toyon Bay location, sleeping in dorms up in the mountains and spending most of our time on the water. Every day was full of adventures, and it honestly felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

My absolute favorite part of the trip was night snorkeling. It was freezing cold, but that somehow made it more fun. My friends and I were laughing the whole time, trying to ignore how cold we were. We saw so many cool animals, but my favorites were a baby tiger shark—yes, our instructor grabbed it with his hands—and the bioluminescent algae glowing in the water. Snorkeling together was so special because we made memories I know we’ll talk about forever.

The trip also helped me grow closer to people. There was one girl I really bonded with, and now we’re good friends. We shared food, talked on hikes, and connected over how much we loved the island’s nature. One moment I’ll never forget was when we were both scared to jump off a box into the ocean. We encouraged each other, jumped together, and were so proud of ourselves that we kept going. I even worked up the courage to do a front flip!

One team activity that definitely stood out was dissecting a squid (gross, I know). We had to work together to identify the right parts and make sure we were seeing things the same way as the instructors. Somehow, I ended up putting the squid on my tongue. I do not recommend it—it tasted exactly like biting into raw fish.

Being away from school with my classmates helped me appreciate them more. I saw different sides of people that I’d never noticed before, and I made new friends I never expected to make. People seemed funnier, more relaxed, and more themselves—maybe it was the island air. One thing that still makes me laugh is the hand signals we used while snorkeling. At first, we heard people saying things like “Brown Bison” and “Yellow Unicorn” and had no idea what they meant. We eventually learned they were code words for bathroom emergencies (gross, but true), and my friends and I still joke about it when we see each other at school.

Overall, Catalina Island was an amazing trip. I learned that I’m braver than I thought, that heights are actually fun, and that shared experiences can bring people closer together. If I had to describe the spirit of our group in one word, it would be “lively.” We were always laughing, joking, and having fun, and the instructors were just as entertaining and supportive. Catalina was the best field trip I’ve ever been on, and I loved every minute of it.