Trip participants hosted while the community enjoyed food and conversation.
The dessert buffet stretched down the length of the lodge.
This year's travelers shared how they heard about the trip and what they were looking forward to. Chaperones Seeley-Swan High School teachers Trace Stone and Tonya Smith said that they raised $5,200 at the Feb. 15 fundraiser. This was the final group fundraiser before the trip. However some of the students will still be doing individual fundraising. Pictured (L-R): Ella Batchelder, Eric Lorentz, Aspen Conley, Will Batchelder, Cora Stone, Jordan Johnson, Rose Mercer, Klaire Kovatch and Bethany Hoag.
The live dessert auction items. Bruce Wold was the auctioneer often saying, "Don't bid until it hurts, bid until it feels good." Most of the desserts sold for more than $100 and several were sold twice. Top sellers included the Apple Huckleberry Pie for $500 and the Grasshopper Cake brought in $400 for the students. All funds raised help defray travelers' costs.
Travelers preparing food for the Latin buffet. Earning their way not only helps promote a good work ethic and ownership in the trip, it also makes the trip financially available for anyone who wants to attend.
SEELEY LAKE – The Lodge on Seeley Lake was packed Saturday night, Feb. 15 for the 10 year Celebration for Destinations for Education (D4E). Not only did the event celebrate a decade of support for the grassroots program, it also raised more than $5,200 for the nine students returning to Orosi, Costa Rica this April.
Attendees enjoyed a Latin Buffet and a seemingly never-ending table of desserts while socializing at the donation-only event. The 2020 travelers did the prep work, served and made sure everyone had everything they needed.
Junior Rose Mercer said the fundraising opportunities are an important part of the D4E experience. It allows them to put themselves out there and make money on their own to help pay for the trip.
"The students were all great workers," wrote The Lodges Events Coordinator Vicki Voegelin in an email. "They embraced every aspect of hosting such a crowd, from planning and advertising to the preparation of desserts and dinner to the setup and the final clean up."
Voegelin, who was one of the founders of the program 10 years ago, explained that part of D4E is exposing students to new things including working an event like this.
"They approached the evening with great enthusiasm and positive energy," wrote Voegelin speaking for herself and on behalf of the owners of The Lodges Brian and Kerry Bertsch. "These students have a lot going on in their lives between schoolwork, athletics and family time, so watching them prioritize all of that, work together towards a common goal and do it all while smiling and having fun was a joy to watch. It once again reminded all of us that this program is about so much more than the traveling, it provides character-building opportunities that may not otherwise be addressed."
Tucker Clark was on the first trip in 2010 when the group went to Ecuador.
"It was one of the highlights of my teen years and kind of shaped who I am," Clark told those in attendance. "Even after working with the Air Force, that trip really stood out because you don't get this type of travel really ever again."
Ginger Williams thinks the trip in 2010 was one of the greatest experiences her daughter Madeline has ever had. Williams said Madeline fell in love with the people of South America and the trip changed her life.
Williams said Madeline returned to South America three of four times. On one of her most recent trips, she worked with the Sustainability Foundation where she taught children about HIV. She made many friends with whom she still keeps in contact. She hopes to return.
"This gives our kids an opportunity to see how other people live, especially a third-world country. I think it is really important that they can see something other than the American culture," said Williams. "It might even change their mind about a future occupation or how they may want to work with others."
"I had never been on a plane, never seen the ocean. It was a really crazy experience for me and super fun," said 2018 D4E alumni Ashley Miller. "My homestay family was awesome, super welcoming and they were amazing cooks."
Most of the 2020 travelers heard stories about past trips or were directly encouraged to participate by friends or family that had gone in the past. Many agreed that they are looking forward to traveling out of the country and experiencing a new culture including the language, food and way of life. Many are also looking forward to meeting new people and getting to live with a homestay family.
Senior Ella Batchelder is the only returning traveler. She looks forward to reconnecting with her homestay family from 2018 and meeting a new one.
Clark said he was really proud of the community for keeping the opportunity available for students for the past 10 years.
"It's come a long way from selling books at the [Farmer's] market," said Clark and laughed.
"Our thanks to all the travelers, parents and other volunteers who helped make this event such a huge success," wrote Voegelin. "It was our pleasure working with you."
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