Knightly News

This summer, 36 students and six chaperones spent nine days road tripping through Italy. Upper School history teacher Clara Howell says the trip was packed with as many classes and learning opportunities as possible, with a focus on art and history. Along the way, there were also the unexpected joys that make traveling so impactful.

Experiential learning that students will never forget

“My favorite part of this experience was definitely the ancient ruins of the Roman Empire,” says senior Noah Henderson. “It was awesome to see all of this history in one place, with lots of it still intact as well!”

The Episcopal explorers took part in a variety of experiential activities, including Gladiator School, where they learned archery and other gladiator techniques. They painted frescoes in Florence, took cooking classes and learned to paint with watercolors. The group saw Michelangelo’s David, toured the Vatican Museum, and was in awe of St. Peter’s Basilica. The trip was filled with learning opportunities, and Howell and fellow chaperone Dr. Karin deGravelles appreciated the chance to watch students take in their surroundings. For Howell, it is especially rewarding that six students from the trip are now in her AP European History class. With the school year underway, students are learning about the places they visited, and Howell even shares photos of them from the trip.

As is often the case with big adventures, the Italy road trip also included unexpected experiences that truly made the trip epic. Howell points out that the visit coincided with the Giro d’Italia finale, and the group actually watched cyclists pedal quickly through the streets of Rome. Students were also in St. Peter’s Square as Pope Leo prepared for a prayer service in the gardens. In addition, Howell says Episcopal equestrian Stella Silva was thrilled to be in Villa Borghese park at the exact time as the CSIO Roma Piazza de Siena, an elite international jumping event. Stella and Howell took a few moments so that Stella could watch several of her favorite riders and get up close with the horses. Even the natural world seemed to align for the explorers, as they timed a visit to the sea just at sunset. deGravelles recalls the joy she felt in hearing a student exclaim, “I’m going to touch the Mediterranean!”

Creating community thousands of miles from home

Nine days in Italy established lasting connections among the explorers. As students threw netting over each other at the Gladiator School or tried different forms of art or food, they naturally developed friendships. The personalized lagniappe moments allowed students to get to know one another and become a community of explorers. Senior Noah Henderson says he was most surprised by the bonds the group formed. “I went with a lot of people I had never really met before or only talked to briefly, but while in Italy it was super easy and really fun to get to talk to these people more,” he says. “This experience benefited me upon my return because it definitely helped me start a lot of conversations with people I had not talked to in months. It also helped me stay connected with teachers while away over the summer, so when I returned it was really easy to come back.”

Learning through travel

International travel, like the Italian road trip, reflects Episcopal’s commitment to global education and experiential learning. These experiences are designed to support academic learning while fostering curiosity, empathy and a broader sense of responsibility in an interconnected world. In addition to the trip to Italy, students have recently traveled to destinations such as Costa Rica and Iceland. There are also domestic and interest-based experiences, all focused on learning through exploration. Learn more about Episcopal travel opportunities here and join us on our next adventure.

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2025-2026 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.