Service and surfin’: EPHS students visit the Dominican Republic

Every year, an invitation to participate in an overseas adventure is sent to all students who have earned the status of top 20% of their class. 

This past summer, 11 EPHS students, parent Bridget Martinez-Mohabir, and two faculty members, English teacher Kendal Ahlmann and social studies teacher Jacquelyn Regnier, had the opportunity to go on a school trip to the Dominican Republic.

The tour took place July 22-29, with stops in Santo Domingo, the Central Mountain Region, Santiago and the Northern Coast Region.

EPHS students and faculty chaperones as well as their guide take a photo break in the Dominican Republic. Students who went on the trip were juniors Kimberly Herrera Ruiz, Ashley Nettelhorst, Demian Uleychuk, Jose Velazquez, Anthony Zenner and seniors Joaquin Aguilar, Sophia Chora, Ethan Jimenez, Olivia Martinez-Mohabir, Sophia Rodriguez and Jaclyn Streichhirsch. (Photo courtesy of Ethan Jimenez)

This marked Ahlmann’s fifth school-sponsored summer trip, something she’s been able to accomplish with consistent student interest. This year, however, the trip was unique in its inclusion of service-based learning. Ahlmann says the purpose was to get students more engaged with the community — in her words, “to identify community needs, collaborate, creatively solve those needs and then be able to implement their solutions.”

Thanks to EF (Education First) Tours, the students could experience two opportunities for service: one environmentally-based and the other community-based. 

Students worked with an institute that specializes in biodiversity and participated in planting coffee trees. Senior Joaquin Aguilar looks back on the experience positively. "It made me feel like I was doing something important," he says. 

Senior Ethan Jimenez planted a coffee tree in the Central Mountains, surfed along the Northern Coast and celebrated his 17th birthday while participating in the school-sponsored trip to the Dominican Republic in July.
(Photos courtesy of Ethan Jimenez)

The other service opportunity was a collaboration with InspireDR, an afterschool program for boys that teaches them different skills, such as collaboration and communication through sports. Even though it was a service-based activity, it was senior Sophia Chora’s absolute favorite. “Getting to know the kids living there and helping them through sports was definitely a highlight of the trip for me,” she says.

From physical activities, like whitewater rafting, ziplining and surf lessons, to more relaxed activities like beach days, a birthday celebration and a culturally rich pottery class, students were exposed to a variety of experiences. 

Though filled to the brim with fun activities, these trips are aligned with school curriculum. For example, Ahlmann incorporated part of her College Composition course into the trip by having the students view their DR experiences as material for their college admissions personal essay. 

Students prepare for a whitewater rafting excursion. Clockwise from the bottom left are senior Sophia Chora, junior Kimberly Herrera Ruiz, and seniors Olivia Martinez-Mohabir and Sophia Rodriguez. (Photo courtesy of Kimberly Herrera Ruiz)

In the college application process, a good personal statement demonstrates an overcome personal challenge and highlights a positive quality of life gained, one that colleges look for. “Travel does that,” Ahlmann says, further adding, “the service element…really boosts an essay.” 

The students agree that this trip went beyond just a vacation. “It was a life-changing experience,” said Chora. And for this group, it not only allowed them to get out of their comfort zone but changed the way they view their life. “I learned to be grateful and appreciate the small things we take for granted," Aguilar says. 

The trip highlighted how students in the DR live, and simultaneously their challenges and advantages. Although there were resource disparities, senior Olivia Martinez-Mohabir noted the memorable social environment. “I got to see a real community — everybody was so friendly there,” she says.

For much of their trip, EPHS students traveled with students from San Diego and North Carolina high schools. Here the students gather together while visiting an agricultural area in the Central Mountains.
(Photo courtesy of Kimberly Herrera Ruiz)

Looking ahead, the 2025 summer trip will be in Ireland and the 2026 summer trip will be in South Africa. 

Though the invite is extended to the top 20% of students at the high school, any students interested, regardless of meeting the cut-off, are still welcome to attend if in communication with Ahlmann. Seniors are also eligible to participate in trips taking place the summer after they graduate.

“I can't wait to go on my Ireland trip!” says Martinez-Mohabir, who will graduate in 2025. 

To students considering these trips, Ahlmann says it's crucial to know the expectations in place: being open to learning about new experiences and being respectful in that process, and vulnerable and adventurous students. 

“Coachable students are the ones that I want on the trips,” Ahlmann says.

All across the board, the trip comes well recommended.