Senior EC Scholars meet alumni, sightsee and make memories in NYC
Impact trips are a time for EC Scholars to bond with their class and make memories that will last forever. The senior scholars vote on whether to have their final trip in Charleston, SC, or New York City. The cohort of 2023 chose the Big Apple, and it did not disappoint!
The trip began on the Saturday (January 14th) of Martin Luther King Jr. weekend bright and early. When they landed in New York City they met up with their amazing tour guide Mr. Daniel Ellis who would be showing them the highlights of the city. Elizabeth Chan remembers, “It actually snowed when we got there so it was really magical going to New York City in the snow.”
On day one, the scholars were shown around midtown and downtown Manhattan. They saw popular sites such as Times Square, the NY public library, Grand Central Terminal, Battery Park, the Financial District, Wall Street, the World Trade Center, the 9/11 Memorial, Brooklyn heights, and DUMBO. After a busy day, the scholars were given free time to hang out with one another and further explore the city. Macon Carroll reminisces when asked about her most cherished memory of the trip, “All of us gathered in the lobby and set out wandering around the Times Square area just catching up. And after getting a little too cold doing that, we all piled into one hotel room to keep chatting and talk about grad school and career plans. It was one of those simple times where I am reminded just why I love this program and these people so much.”
On day two there were many more sites to be seen! The scholars were guided through midtown and Central Park. Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, 5th Avenue, and different attractions in Central Park were on the agenda for the day — definitely unmissable places! Peyton Thomas expresses, “It is like that feeling of coming home and reconnecting with people who care about you — for me that is the most exciting part of these trips.”
After a day of exploring, the group gathered for dinner and a show, a must in the big city! They saw MJ the Musical, a fascinating Broadway production that tells the story of American singer Michael Jackson. “One of my favorite memories was the Michael Jackson musical,” says Elizabeth Chan. Afterward they enjoyed a family style dinner at Tony’s Di Napoli.
On the final and third day the scholars began with an alumni breakfast. They were able to speak with local alumni Miller Orians, Andrew Wasilick, and Mackenzie Wasilick. After breakfast scholars were given the opportunity to tour and meet with two ECU graduates, Sarah Evans and Jamie Sigler, that founded J/PR. Macon Carroll spoke on meeting with alumni and her experience, “It also provided me with some amazing career advice from some ECU alumni who, one, were gracious enough to meet with us, and two, work in fields that I am heavily interested in. But I think the biggest thing it did for me was make me realize that ECU alumni are everywhere! No matter where I move, I will always find a Pirate connection.” (Macon)
The scholars ended their last day in NYC with a final tour from Mr. Ellis that included Highline, Chelsea Market, and Little Island. Whether their future leads them away or toward the big city, it seemed to be the consensus that this was a trip to remember for the Scholars. Shared memories and moments that will last a lifetime!