Hewitt News

This March, middle and upper schoolers traveled to Rome, Italy, with Hewitt's Venturer Program! Over the course of their trip, students engaged in an intensive, hands-on study of Latin; explored sites including the Colosseum, Pantheon, Roman Forum, Ara Pacis, and Vatican and Capitoline Museums; and read excerpts from ancient authors about the places they visited. 

As eighth grader Rory M. ’30 pointed out, “Rome is special not just because of its beauty or cuisine or cats (which are famous, apparently). It is a place so intricately woven with history that you can't walk down a single street without absorbing it. Incredible.”

The trip also included a two-day stay in Sorrento, from where students ventured to explore the ancient sites of both Pompeii and Herculaneum. Hewitt junior Catherine M. ’27 noted, “One of my highlights from the trip was visiting these ancient cities, where we learned about the daily lives of the Romans in a way that felt very captivating. It is one thing to read about these monuments and places in books, and to study them in class, but it is entirely different to stand with them and experience the wonder for yourself.” 

Reflecting on the trip, faculty chaperones Haley Ryan and Elizabeth Stevens shared, “The experience of visiting Rome, Pompeii, and Herculaneum with students inspired by their Latin studies was itself inspiring and magical. Together, as classicists, we read Latin wherever we found it and reflected on the history and culture of the Roman past as it continues to live on in Italy today.”

Thank you to the Classical Association of the Atlantic States for their generous support of this meaningful student learning experience through a Dr. Rudolph Masciantonio Grant.