This year the Class of ‘24 proved that a little rain and wind can’t stop them from enjoying their trip to Catalina. On Saturday, April 13th at 7:30 a.m., seniors greeted their friends, checked in with their chaperones, and boarded the bus to Long Beach harbor with an air of excitement.
Following the group picture outside the doors of the Catalina Express lounge, students explored brochures detailing the various options for dining, shopping, and activities on Avalon. After what seemed like a long wait, students made their way onto the Catalina Express and rushed to get beverages and snacks from the snack bar aboard.
Students had been warned ahead of time to expect rainy and windy weather. Although the weather conditions were not ideal, the Panthers made the most of their day with hoodies and umbrellas by their sides. Seniors spent their hour-long boat ride on the three decks either inside relaxing, socializing, playing cards, or standing outside enjoying the breezy weather.
Once everyone disembarked the boat, Mrs. Tatevosian, Mr. Rubio, and the other chaperons made important announcements after students were free to explore the island. Within the first minutes, some had already started playing beach volleyball and basketball at one of the many courts alongside the shore. Some students immediately rushed to rent electric bikes and reach some of the highest points on the island. Others chose to be brave and went snorkeling or swimming in the ocean.
Though students were cautioned against the rain, the weather was not as terrible as some expected and people were able to make lasting memories. “I thought there would be heavy rain and very cold weather but it was so much better,” senior Carla Alexanian said. “I actually preferred this weather because it wasn’t too cold to the point that we couldn’t be outside but it wasn’t super hot either. It was nice breezy weather.”
Alongside the main road right by the seashore was a slew of stores, cafes, restaurants, and rental shops. Riding electric bikes was the most popular activity among students since no one under 25 could rent golf carts. “Using the electric bikes made exploring easier because the top of the island was a pretty steep hill,” senior Ani Sukiasyan said. “It was one of the best ways to explore with friends because we didn’t get as tired as we would have on regular bikes.” Others chose to explore the highest points of the island on foot and hiked up the scenic trails of the island. Throughout the day there were short periods of rain, so students headed to activities like mini golfing, shopping, bowling, and playing arcade games.
The island offered a variety of tour options, so some seniors decided to explore the entire island on tour buses. “I really liked the tours because I got to see the whole island and learn more about the history of it from the guides,” senior Nare Babkhanian said. “The island was so huge that I wouldn’t have been able to see all the beautiful sites by just walking.”
Near 6 p.m., everyone gathered at the boarding dock to check in and head home. With a picturesque sunset outside the boat, seniors looked on and savored the last minutes of their trip.
