Thankfully everyone made it home safe and sound!  <phew!>  After stories such as Natalie Holloway’s disappearance from her High School class trip, a parent worries, you know? 

Anyway…the Class of 2008 from the Burlington County Institute of Technology (BCIT) of Medford, NJ went to Disney World for their class trip last week.   I was really impressed with the staff at the school.  They did a phenomenal job of organizing this trip…I can honestly say that I couldn’t have done it better nor would I want to.  <God bless ‘em>  They had all of the safety precautions that put a mom like me at ease.  They even had an officer from the Medford Police Department accompanying them.  Mr. Porter, their principle who people say is a former Eagles quarterback <although I’ve never seen proof> is retiring this year and decided to finally take a class trip. He’s a cool guy.  I hope he didn’t regret it!  And Ms. Mullins, the Asst. Principle put most of the trip together, I believe… <I would hope she had help…I’m sure she did> …and they did a phenomenal job!  I had heard that her mother {Ms. Mullin’s mother] passed away a week before the trip but she was stoic…obviously devoted to our kids!! 

My apologies to anyone who was also in Disney world from April 29th till May 3 if any of the girls, specifically one with two-toned black and white <and I mean white> hair got loud or inappropriate.  We did the best we could.  <I mean…we really tried>  Nah, she’s a good kid.  Just a little over-excited sometimes…her and her cheerleader buds.  

Sadly, it turns out that all of the chaperone’s and one being a cop doesn’t dissuade some kids.  A few of them decided to shoplift from Universal Studios and now, in addition to the legal troubles won’t be able to go to prom or walk up and receive their diplomas at graduation.  I was so sad about that!!  When I hear about things going on, like this or the big drug bust at San Diego State University, I think about the parents, the teachers and staff that have trusted them and did their best, and then I think of how few of people who get in this type of trouble rarely bounce back and are even more driven to succeed.  A percentage of them will but another percentage won’t!  And imagine calling Grandma and explaining why she can’t watch her grand-daughter walk up to receive her diploma!

These kids that ruined their Senior year at high school over some stupid stuff at Disney World that they probably had enough money to buy outright.  <My kid went through $900!!  Ugh…a combo of her money and my donation of $300> They let the principle and the staff of chaperone’s down, they let their parents down and they let themselves down.  And, if they’re over 18 as most of my daughter’s class is, they’ll have a permanent record.  Can you imagine 25 or 30 years from now taking your children down to Disney?  Oh, the stories they’ll have to tell!!