Security alert, weather change students' plans

ST. PETERSBURG -- First, a national security alert prompted a change in the class trip destination for eighth-graders at Shorecrest Preparatory School. Then this week's historic winter storm challenged organizers to revise plans on the run. Sometimes, they learned, the only alternative is to make a snowball and let fly.

The 42 students originally were headed to Washington, D.C.; but when the nation went on high-risk orange alert, school officials had second thoughts.

"With the heightened security, we had some concerns about going to Washington," said Pat Craven, Shorecrest's middle division head.

The students on Friday flew into Baltimore, Md., and took a bus to Williamsburg, Va., for the long Presidents' Day weekend.

They went sightseeing in Jamestown and Williamsburg on Saturday. On Sunday, they planned to visit Thomas Jefferson's Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

Then came the white stuff.

"It poured snow," Craven said. "Monticello was closed, and we heard that the University of Virginia canceled classes for the fourth time in the history of the school. We couldn't get there, so it was very disappointing."

They changed destinations again, going to the Virginia Marine Science Museum in Virginia Beach.

"When we came back (to Williamsburg), there was some snow," Craven said. "Two of our students had never seen it. We went to the College of William and Mary, and made use of their playing fields," with some of the youngsters throwing footballs, others snowballs.

"Sunday night we had a dance at the hotel, which was wonderful; but we were supposed to drive back to Baltimore" on Monday, Craven said. The plan was to visit the National Aquarium before returning to St. Petersburg, but the winter storm forced the Baltimore airport to close.

Dehoney Travel of Louisville, Ky., developed yet another strategy: Take a bus to Norfolk and try to get flights home from there.

"They got us 42 tickets," Craven said. Southwest flew to Orlando, and the students rode to St. Petersburg on a bus; Delta flew nonstop from Norfolk to Tampa.

Anna Mosby, 14, said she had a great time and was unconcerned about all the changes in itinerary. "I knew they'd take care of us," she said.

Natalie Zach, also 14, enjoyed the marine science museum and the IMAX theater, the dance and the snowball fight.

As for communicating the youngsters' whereabouts to their parents, Craven said: "The minute I would make an announcement, (the students') cell phones would come out." Those who don't have them made calls from their friends' phones. "Communication is much easier now than it used to be," Craven said.

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