CATSKILL – The Catskill High School senior class is heading to Washington DC for their field trip June 1-3.

“It’s educational, but fun,” according to a field trip request made by the class advisor to the Board of Education. “It’s a chance to explore our nation’s Capitol. The educational experience will be both cultural and historical.”

Approval for the trip is something the senior class fought long and hard for, said senior class president Andrew Holliday.

In early March, Catskill Superintendent of Schools Dan Wilson said the class would have to consider other options because a trip to Washington, D.C. was cost-prohibitive for some students, and he gave them suggestions, including Six Flags Great. Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey.

“I met with the senior officers and his advisor,” Wilson said at a March 13 Board of Education meeting. “I told them we would have to look for other options because the price ranges they had given me in their proposal were outside of what most said they could pay.”

After Wilson expressed his concerns, the class president’s father, Jeffery Holliday, advocated with the school board and Wilson, saying that a trip to Washington, D.C. would be educational, not a “useless trip to an amusement park.”

“Giving students the opportunity to celebrate their academic achievements before they graduate,” said Jeffrey Holliday. “It is an opportunity for a memory that will last a lifetime.

“If the same board allows the class of 2023 to fly to Florida, I’m sure a way can be found to allow these kids to go to Washington,” he added.

Senior class advisor Kristie Allen submitted an updated field trip request to Washington, D.C., on April 3, to the high school principal and Wilson.

The school board and Wilson approved the request and the trip on April 9.

Allen could not comment on the trip because of school district policy, he said.

Wilson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The class was actively fundraising for the trip, but the delay caused everything to be delayed, Andrew Holliday said.

“We’re glad it was approved,” he said after the school board approved the trip on April 9.

The trip to Washington, D.C., will include attending an Orioles baseball game, visits to museums, the nation’s Capitol, tours of monuments and a possible tour with U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro, R-19, Andrew Holliday said.

Holliday’s father said he will travel to Washington, D.C. next week to meet with Molinaro and discuss their agenda.

“It will be a good experience for the children,” he said. “It’s also an election year, so it will also be good PR for Molinaro.”

The class held a meeting on March 26 to discuss the trip, and students were asked to commit to taking it.

The class has 76 students, according to Jeffrey Holliday. Of those 76 students, 55 were interested but seven were unable to pay the full amount of $418.

Students continued to fundraise and work with school clubs to raise money so that all students interested in attending could attend. Local businesses also donated money totaling $2,500 and an additional $1,000 to reduce costs.

All money raised and won would bring the total ticket amount from $418 per student to potentially $307 per student.

“The community support has been incredible,” Jeffrey Holliday said.

The class is selling tickets to a duck race to raise money, Holliday said, adding that they will hold a fundraiser outside the school district on May 4 to raise money that will go directly to the students and pay for the students’ trips. seven remaining students in its entirety.

The Duck Race will begin at Black Bridge and end at Uncle Sam’s Bridge next to CONE-E Island. Trophies and cash cards will be awarded to the first nine weighted ducks to cross the finish line, and a prize will be awarded to the last duck.

“No duck is left behind,” Holliday said.

Each duck will require a $10 donation for one duck entry, or sponsor packages can be purchased for $100 or $300. A lucky duck sponsor costs $100 and includes 10 ducks and an entry into the pre-race lucky duck drawing. Student sponsorship costs $300, which includes sponsoring a student, receiving 30 ducks and six entries to the pre-race lucky duck drawing.

“By May 2, people will be notified of their duck number, but the ducks are released into the water at the same time, so no one will know what theirs is until they cross the finish line,” Jeffrey Holliday said. . “The more ducks we sell, the more goes into giving kids the best trip possible and making it affordable for everyone.”

To purchase tickets or simply donate, contact Lori Lasher Holliday on Facebook or call (518) 965-7873.