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Eighth graders travel to Puerto Rico for cultural and service-learning immersion
Many Ransom Everglades eighth-grade students recently returned from a multi-city expedition across Puerto Rico, completing a five-day cultural and service-learning immersion from March 4-8. Led by RE faculty members Melissa Salvo, Furqan Tinsley, Lenny Castaneda, Renee Rodriguez and Jess Merrick, the trip combined educational environmental exploration with deep dives into the island’s Afro-Puerto Rican heritage and agricultural traditions.
The journey began in the southern city of Ponce with a service-learning project at Jaime I Drew Elementary School, setting a tone of community engagement that defined the week. Over the course of the trip, students transitioned from the classroom to the coastline, exploring the bioluminescent bays of La Parguera and the private trails of the El Yunque rainforest, while gaining hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture and traditional culinary arts.
Here's a day-by-day diary:
Here's a day-by-day diary:
Day 1 – Arrival in Puerto Rico
Students traveled from Miami to San Juan before continuing to the southern city of Ponce, where the group settled in and began their immersive experience on the island.
Students traveled from Miami to San Juan before continuing to the southern city of Ponce, where the group settled in and began their immersive experience on the island.
Day 2 – Service Learning & Coastal Exploration
The day began with a meaningful service-learning project alongside students at Jaime I Drew Elementary School in Ponce. In the afternoon, the group traveled to the fishing village of La Parguera for a private boat excursion through the mangrove cays and the island’s famous bioluminescent bay.
The day began with a meaningful service-learning project alongside students at Jaime I Drew Elementary School in Ponce. In the afternoon, the group traveled to the fishing village of La Parguera for a private boat excursion through the mangrove cays and the island’s famous bioluminescent bay.
Day 3 – Agriculture, Culture & Old San Juan
Students visited Finca Don Manuel Tropical Fruit Farm to learn about sustainable agriculture and participate in a traditional Puerto Rican cooking experience featuring mofongo. Later, the group explored the historic streets of Old San Juan, learning about the island’s rich colonial history.
Students visited Finca Don Manuel Tropical Fruit Farm to learn about sustainable agriculture and participate in a traditional Puerto Rican cooking experience featuring mofongo. Later, the group explored the historic streets of Old San Juan, learning about the island’s rich colonial history.
Day 4 – El Yunque Rainforest Adventure
Students hiked through private trails in the El Yunque rainforest, discovering waterfalls, natural pools, and the unique ecosystem of Puerto Rico’s tropical forest. The day concluded with time at Luquillo Beach and dinner in the rainforest.
Students hiked through private trails in the El Yunque rainforest, discovering waterfalls, natural pools, and the unique ecosystem of Puerto Rico’s tropical forest. The day concluded with time at Luquillo Beach and dinner in the rainforest.
Day 5 – Afro-Puerto Rican Culture & Return Home
The final day focused on Afro-Puerto Rican heritage with a visit to the studio of renowned artist Samuel Lind in Loíza, followed by a traditional Bomba music and dance workshop. After lunch in San Juan, the group returned to Florida.
The final day focused on Afro-Puerto Rican heritage with a visit to the studio of renowned artist Samuel Lind in Loíza, followed by a traditional Bomba music and dance workshop. After lunch in San Juan, the group returned to Florida.
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Founded in 1903, Ransom Everglades School is a coeducational, college preparatory day school for grades 6 - 12 located on two campuses in Coconut Grove, Florida. Ransom Everglades School produces graduates who "believe that they are in the world not so much for what they can get out of it as for what they can put into it." The school provides rigorous college preparation that promotes the student's sense of identity, community, personal integrity and values for a productive and satisfying life, and prepares the student to lead and to contribute to society.
Ransom Everglades School®, The RE Way®, RE Pathways® and Bowden Fellowships in the Humanities™ are trademarks of Ransom Everglades School.
Ransom Everglades School®, The RE Way®, RE Pathways® and Bowden Fellowships in the Humanities™ are trademarks of Ransom Everglades School.