An "Adult" Perspective from the trip

For all you brave parents who are now so relieved to have their children back, I wanted to briefly share with you a first-hand perspective. My wife and I attended the trip along with our son who is in the band.  Our daughter and her husband also came.  We were part of the "adult" group, a title which distinguished us from the "LZHS Staff and Chaperones".

In our role as "those going along for the ride" we had the unique opportunity to have a first-hand view of how the entire Lake Zurich Group - Teachers, Students and Chaperones', were conducting themselves over the ten day period.  We were with the delayed group so were able to experience the full drama of two extra days of travel.

So with that long introduction let me now tell you - how proud you should be of your children and the LZHS staff.  Let me tell you, your child was well cared for over the past 10 days.  First, we must recognize the professionals working in the background who arranged, scheduled and coordinated this trip.  Travel arrangements over the entire trip were detailed and comprehensive.  I noticed several times during the week that agendas and itineraries were adjusted seamlessly on-the-fly to accommodate either the weather conditions or to emphasize specific agenda items. This ability to keep things moving at all times is a credit to the tour guides and LZ staff who were decisive and knowledgeable of the surroundings.

Of course we all know that no amount of organization or coordination would have worked with a group of unruly and disruptive teenagers.  But I can tell you this was not the case with the LZHS Band.  Your kids were at their best at all times.  When addressed as "Hey Band!", they responded, in perfect cadence and unison, "Hey What!", followed by silence.  They were given freedom to grow and explore and they responded as a group well beyond their years.

And finally, credit must be given to the LZHS Staff and the adult chaperones. The full success of this trip is due to their talents and efforts and the primary purpose of this brief message is to acknowledge this fact.  It was my family's pleasure to "go along for the ride".

Dan and Carol Hoch