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History beyond the classroom

by ELLI GOLDMAN HILBERT
Staff Writer | August 28, 2021 1:06 AM

COEUR d’ALENE — Lakes Middle School teacher Tanya Lilley has spent the past two years teaching students about ancient Roman civilization.

Now, she intends to show it to them.

Lilley plans to take a group of eighth- and ninth-grade students on an eight-day tour of Rome in March.

“We’ve been talking about these things in the classroom, why not bring it to life and take them there?” Lilley said.

Inspired by annual trips organized for students to visit Washington, D.C., Lilley’s thought was, “Why not go bigger?”

“Our students learn U.S. history and then have an opportunity to see it in the flesh,” she said. “I want to take them to Rome.”

When the idea struck her, Lilley said she was hoping to have at least 10 interested students. She now has 56 middle school students and parents preparing to go.

The group plans to visit the Colosseum, the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, Pompeii, Capri and Sorrento among other stops.

“All of the places that I have taught them about, they will now get to see,” Lilley said.

Most of the students are raising their own funding for the trip.

Students are selling popcorn, holding car washes, doing side work and just about anything they can think of to raise money. Team fundraising efforts are constantly underway.

From 9 a.m. until noon today the group is holding a fundraiser at Car Wash Plaza, 1206 N. Ramsey Road.

“We are doing anything we can to help the kids go on this trip,” Lilley said. “Some of them have never been on an airplane, or even left the Pacific Northwest.”

Anyone inspired to sponsor a young traveler or contribute to the cause can visit the Facebook page CDA Kids Travel.

They have set up an account at GoFundMe.

Lilley can be reached at cdakidstravel@gmail.com.

“This is such a huge experience for them,” Lilley said. “A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Lilley said COVID-19 travel restrictions have not put a damper on their travel plans.

Travelers are required to get a negative COVID test prior to boarding the plane, and they will all be diligent in wearing masks, Lilley said.

The group will tour together, with private transportation and tour guides.

“We will mostly be around fellow travelers who have also all tested negative for COVID-19,” Lilley said.

The young travelers are partnering with EF Tours and already have a trip to Scotland booked for 2023.

photo

Photo courtesy of Tanya Lilley

Middle school student Jordan Cummings has been Lilley's student for three years, "I taught him about Ancient Rome and the fall of Rome; now I get to take him to Rome," Lilley said.