Matan on Preparation

Hey, y'all! This is Matan! Here are my lists:

Ways I think I'll need to physically prepare for this trip

1. Make sure I have shoes that are comfy to walk around in and will keep my feet warm and dry
2. Buy a water bottle and get into the habit of staying hydrated
3. Find my winter running clothes so that I can go on morning runs with Traci during the trip
4. Tell everyone at work and at my other commitments that I will be out of town for a week and that they won't be able to contact me.
5. Find a watch so that I can be on time to everything during the trip without having to use my phone, which can be an unnecessary distraction
6. Rake lots and lots and lots of leaves! 

Ways I think I'll need to mentally prepare for this trip

1. Research my assigned city and schedule all of the visits to museums and with speakers well before the trip
2. Pick out some books related to civil rights and social justice to bring with me to read and share with others
3. Spend time getting to know my fellow chaperones and all of the students prior to the trip 
4. Think about what I need to rest well during the trip and be fully present each day
5. Brainstorm activities for our bus rides to both help us get to know each other and deepen our understanding of the things we will be learning together
6. Find new ways to contribute to the fundraising efforts so that we can successfully meet our goals! 

Thanks! See you soon! 

Nayely on Preparation

Hey guys, I'm Nayely Furcal from Hope High School 

Ways I think I'll need to physically prepare for this trip

• Look up for the weather before packing. 
• Ask my teachers for my assignments. 
• Get use to waking up early and going to sleep early. 
• Make sure that I’m off that week. 

Ways I think I'll need to mentally prepare for this trip

• tell myself that I’m going to be okay and not be home sicks

Mollie on Preparation

Hey everyone, it’s Mollie. Sending peaceful and graceful vibes.

Ways I need to prepare physically:

• Take walks twice a week to get my legs used to walking all over
• Bake, bake, bake lots of cookies
• Get all college applications in
• Meet with all my teachers prior to leaving, make sure all assignments are written down and organized
• Look through the closet, gather all my sweaters, jeans, and smart wool socks(!)

Ways I need to prepare mentally:

• Ask questions
• Sit in uncomfortable spaces
• Learn to delegate
• Journal daily the two weeks before (just in general!)
• Ask for help when needed

Thanks

Owen on Preparation

Hello All, I’m Owen, a student from Park.

Ways I think I’ll need to physically prepare for this trip:

1. Rake leaves and help out with other fundraising etc.
2. Apply to colleges!
3. Make sure I’m done with all of my work for the first semester.
4. Have a written down/accepted plan for my senior project.
5. Prepare the appropriate gear for the trip.
6. Do everything else I forgot about… 

Ways I think I’ll need to mentally prepare for this trip:

1. Prepare my parents? (Not sure if that counts)
2. Research Birmingham!
3. Familiarize myself with the schedule.
4. Get to know as many people going on the trip as possible. 
5. Consider what role I have to play in the furthering of social justice. 
6. Continue to think about what else I need to add to these lists.

Damilola on Preparation

Hi I’m Damilola Odelabu 

-For this trip I will prepare my self physically by:

• Bringing socks, jackets, sweaters, boots, and sweats to keep myself warm.
• I will bring my tooth brush, face wash, and hair products so I can keep my features clean and presentable.
• I will get my eyebrows and nails done before this trip because I don’t know who I’ll run into.
• I will pack nice clothing for the church, and for different places we go to.
• I will bring money although we’re told we don’t need to, I want to buy things Incase I like something.                                                     -For this trip 

I will prepare myself mentally by:

• Making sure my teachers and manager know I’m leaving for the trip so they don’t fail me, or fire me.
• Finishing everything I need to finish such as laundry, classwork and more.
• I will practice interacting with people so I’m not socially awkward on this trip.
• I will learn about the cities we’re visiting so I know what to expect.
• I will bring a big suitcase so I don’t loose space or loose anything important.

Errol on Preparation

Hello all my name is Errol Taylor a senior from Hope High School in Providence, Rhode Island.

Some ways I’ll need to prepare physically for this trip are:

1. Get a haircut to actually look presentable.
2. Get all my work done before hand so I don’t have to worry about it.
3. Make sure I don’t forget any essentials I need.
4. Start waking up early.

Some ways to prepare mentally are:

1. Write more.
2. Connect to the students in my group and those who aren’t.
3. Disconnect from my friends from my school (no hard feelings, love you all).
4. Open up a little more.

Ashley on Preparation

Hi, Its Ashley

Physical preparations

1.  buy a coat 
2. buy supplies needed for this trip 
3. notify my teachers about the trip and complete all my homework  assignment before and during the trip 
4. Find a ride that can bring me to the airport and pick me up from the airport 
5. Drink a lot of water 
6. Stay active 

Mental preparations

1. Go into the trip with a clear mind and unbiased opinions 
2. Find out what my assigned city is
3. Research and present my assigned city 
4. Get involve and communicate with the people during the trip
5. Try not to use my phone all the time 
6. Try not to use inappropriate words 
7. No cursing 

Taura on Preparation

Hi!! 

Here is my first blog post. 

Thank you!

-Taura 

Ways I think I’ll need to physically prepare for this trip:

• Get used to exercising/walking more (after the musical that I’m in is over, I’ll need to maintain my physical shape that I got from dancing, and not let myself be unable to keep up on the trip!)
• Make sure I pack enough warm layers!
• Drink lots of water now to get ready to stay hydrated on the trip
• Be on top of all of my work so I won’t have to make up too much when I get back from the trip
• Ask for some of the work that I’m going to miss ahead of time so I can start working on them before I leave
• Keep doing my best to participate in and think of more fundraising to raise money for the trip!

Ways I think I’ll need to mentally prepare for this trip:

• Prepare myself for some heavy and difficult conversations when learning about what took place in each place that we visit (the overnight made me realize how a lot of our conversations are not going to be the easiest/most comfortable, but I am looking forward to continue to hear everyone’s thoughts and ideas to add to the amazing overall experience)
• Become less attached to checking my phone all the time and live in the moment
• Research my city! (Money)
• Try to stop stressing out about school and what I need to do there, and remember to enjoy the trip and the journey while we are there

Naomi on Preparation

Hi everybody, it’s Naomi!

In order to be physically & mentally prepared for the trip, I think I’ll definitely try to find more warm clothes I can bring, especially a jacket. I need to make sure I can make food arrangements, since I don’t eat meat and I’m a sort of picky on top of that. I’ll try to do a lot of classwork in the weeks preceding the trip, so that I’m not terribly behind. I’m also presenting at an assembly in front of our whole high school the week after, so I’ll make sure to finalize the presentation so that I am not too stressed during the actual trip. I’ll also probably watch some documentaries (like the 13th) to get in the right headspace for the trip. I’m already really looking forward to the trip! I know it’s going to be such a powerful experience for all of us.

- Naomi

Jessicaliz on Preparation

Hey guys, my name is Jessicaliz and I'm a senior attending Hope High school. 

Things I have to do to prepare physically 

 

*Get my classes

*Notify my job

*Make a list of things to bring

*Pack early before hand so I won't rush

Things I Have To Do To Prepare For Mentally 

*Prepare to be up everyday at about 6am

*Prepare to be out and about all day everyday with long nights 

*Prepare to see unsettling things I wouldn't necessarily wish to see

*Prepare always be around crowds of people 24/7

Aminah on Preparation

Hi, my name is Aminah I’m a senior and I go to Hope High School. 

Thing I have to go to physically prepare

I have to invest in a coat

Also a suit case🤣

Get my classes together so I’m not struggling anymore 

Make of list of things I need to bring 

Get the days off from my job

Things I have I do to mentally prepare

I have to prepare to be off my phone 

Prepare to be without my parents again

Get my head together so I can be fully prepared to take in all new information

Deli on Preparation

Hi! My name is Deliana, or as most people know me, Deli. I am a senior at Hope High School.

Ways I think I’ll need to physically prepare for this trip

1. Get good sneakers (all of my sneakers are not for walking)
2. Get all of my missing  schoolwork done and turned in
3. Plan out what I am going to take with me 
4. Get travel necessities 

Ways I think I’ll need to mentally prepare for this trip

1. Watch the documentaries that Maiyah had recommended
2. Contact my group for the city research
3. Research my city (Atlanta)
4. Ask alumni about their experiences 

Thank you.

Sonia on Preparation

Hi, everyone. My name is Sonia. Here are my lists:

Ways I'll need to physically prepare for the trip:

Fundraising; selling pizza, hosting fundraisers at school, raking leaves, etc. 

Keeping track 

Buy one or two more warm sweaters

Pack my bag 

Maintain good grades in all my classes

Ways I'll need to mentally prepare for the trip:

Be prepared to feel (and be) far away from home

Prepare to be vulnerable around other people and be okay with it

Be prepared to talk about and learn more about difficult issues

Become more aware of my personal needs, physically and mentally 

Alena on Preparation

Hi all - it's Alena - a chaperone from City!

1) To prepare physically for this trip

-I'll need to bring a lot of healthy snacks to tide me over between meals

-I'll need to drink a lot of water during the trip and take plenty of bathroom breaks

-I'll need to listen to my body and take a break if necessary

-I'll need to get enough sleep each night to stay present

2) To prepare mentally for this trip

-I'll need to get ready to experience many emotions

-I'll need to be ready to adapt to last-minute changes

-I'll need to prepare to be an active listener

-I'll need to work on being an excellent communicator with our students and the other chaperones.

Thanks!

Alena

Gyashi on Preparation

CRT Response

Gyasi Mitchell

Baltimore City College

How will I physically prepare myself for the trip?

I will physically prepare myself for this trip by first making sure that I’m doing well in school so that when I leave for a week during midterms, I’m not behind on my work. I know that if I'm not prepared to be gone for a week if school then my grades are going to suffer. But also I will physically prepare myself by not allowing myself to be driven and addicted to my phone so that I can really engulf in the moments and just reflect on what has happened that day. I'll also probably force me to just ask questions because there’s no harm in asking questions and why not learn as much as I can while on the experience.

I’ll mentally prepare myself by just being ready to learn new things whether about the trip or just anything. But also being open-minded to others because they may view one thing completely different than me.  Like in the hotels I'm going to have to sleep in the same bed with people, so I'll prepare myself for anything and just being ready to expect anything.

Aeon on Preparation

Hey..my name is Aeon, I’m 17 years old and I am a junior at Baltimore City College.

Ways that I think I’ll need physically prepare for this trip 

1. Since it will be cold when we go on this trip. Take warm clothes. (jacket and coat, gloves, scarf, hat, pants, and long sleeve shirts) 
2. Make sure to have the right items for personal hygiene (toothbrush, deodorant, lotion, and scarf for my hair) 
3. Be ready to be sitting on a bus for a long period of time 
4. Be ready to be walking for long periods of time
5. Make sure that I drink lots of water and eat healthy snacks to stay alert during the trip. 
6. Going to sleep at a reasonable time so that I won’t be drowsy during the trip  
7. Bring a neck pillow. Naps are essential 

Ways that I think I’ll need mentally prepare for this trip 

1. Be present! Make sure that I am apart of the conversation, taking notes, or listening 
2. Bring my journal with me. On this trip I may experience some emotions that I have not before and learn new things. It would be best to document them down and reflect on them 
3. Make a bus playlist. (Piano, violin, dubstep, Panic at the Disco, dark music, Adrian Von Ziegler).
4. Try socialize with your fellow peers and chaperons 
5. Make an alarm before I sleep 
6. Pack what I need for the day the night before

Tomás on Preparation

Hello! My name is Tomás! I'm a participant of the Civil Rights Trip from Park and here are my lists:

Ways in which I'll need to prepare physically:

1. Keep drinking water
2. Find ways to clear off work, that way, I don't have to worry missing assignments
3. Fundraising, find ways to start baking with my peers towards a common goal
4. Prepare for the southern style meals
5. Walking, walking, walking!

Ways in which I'll need to prepare mentally:

1. Detach myself from my cell-phone
2. Become more familiar with the peers that I am sharing this experience with
3. Do my research project on my city (Little Rock)
4. Be able to leave my comfort zone
5. Become more aware of current events and systems of oppression
6. Seeing how Hispanic/Latinx people are tied into these systems of oppression

November Blog Post!

Hello Everyone,

During the overnight at City Neighbors HS, we talked about how fun it is to finally feel like we're getting closer to our trip, but there is still a lot of work and preparation to do. For your November blog post, please introduce yourself and then make two lists: 1) Ways you think you'll need to physically prepare for this trip and 2) Ways you think you'll need to mentally prepare for this trip. I'll go first. 

Hey, y'all. Angela, chaperone from Park School here. Below are my lists:

Ways I think I'll need to physically prepare for this trip

1. Dig up some warm clothes (particularly wool socks)
   
2. Ask for comfy shoes for Christmas (for all that walking we'll do in Montgomery)
   
3. Get used to drinking more water
   
4. Getting all my grading/work prep done before the trip so I don't have to bring the work with me!
   
5. Make sure my daughter has rides back and forth school while I'm gone
6. Step up my fundraising efforts! (selling baked goods, leaf raking)
7. Buy a whoopee cushion to put on Matan's seat on the bus

Ways I think I'll need to mentally prepare for this trip

1. Become un-addicted to my cell phone (particularly, Word Cookies and Instagram)
   
2. Research my assigned city (Memphis!)
3. Get to know my fellow chaperones a little better 
   
4. Think about the role Asian Americans had in the Civil Rights Movement and their history of being oppressed or being oppressors 
   
5. Pay more attention to current social movements and ways I can support them (#metoo, Black Lives Matter)

Thanks! Look out for my December blog post!