Today, February 4th, the Suffield High School’s senior English classes (plus a small handful of juniors) got an exceptional opportunity to venture to The Big Apple, New York City during the school day. Classes explored into the gridded city to view the play Marjorie Prime, which expands into topics such as the use of artificial intelligence, family, longing, and purpose.
Students, mainly in the UConn Early College Experience (ECE) English classes taught by Mrs. Candia-Bovi, were prompted to view the play with an eye into how the world around us shapes our sense of home and purpose. The other classes, taught by both Mrs. Candia-Bovi and Ms. DeAngelis, were prompted to explore the elaborate meanings behind the play’s explanation of how artificial intelligence can be used in the modern world, and how things can go awry or go well depending on how it’s used.
Previously mentioned, Mrs. Candia-Bovi and Ms. DeAngelis were joined by Mr. Wheeler as the chaperones on this trip and were thrilled to explore the city with their senior and junior students, taking in the sights and enjoying their time on the trip they had planned for for so long.
The Trip
The trip kicked off with a long drive in the luxury of a coach bus. The adventure took a delightful turn once we ended in the middle of the bustling city, as students were given the opportunity to see Times Square however they wanted to. Many students spent time shopping and sightseeing the wonders and brilliance of the city.
Wrapped in thick coats and carrying bags upon bags of purchased items, the groups met back at 11:30 a.m. for a dining experience at John’s Pizzeria of Times Square on West 44th Street, where students were given options between different flavors of pizza and caesar salad. Students quickly took a love to the food as well as the decorations of the building, most believe to have originally been a church renovated into a restaurant. With stained glass windows and a domed painted ceiling, photos of the pizzeria immediately became the first thing on everyone’s “to-do” list.
After a delightful lunch, the groups were escorted down the street to the Helen Hayes Theater for the production called Marjorie Prime, presented by the Second Stage Theater and starring June Squibb, which explored how artificial intelligence through humanistic replicas of passed loved ones (called Primes) can impact the way we view our sense of purpose, family, and home.
Students, after calming down from an incredibly emotional production, were then sent back into Times Square for another hour where they were able to explore to their heart’s content. Back on the bus, everyone carried bags of store-bought products and knick-knacks to remember their experience in the city.
The Play
Marjorie Prime, the play the classes went to see, was a robust and emotional roller coaster of the effect of AI that seemed to leave everyone in tears at the brilliance of the story writing and the semi-disturbing topics showcased that really spoke true to how we are impacted physically and mentally by the world we live in. While it left students with tear stains on their cheeks, the tears were met by student reviews of top appeal, claiming to have enjoyed the showcase and how they really did appreciate and understand the message portrayed in such a cinematic and powerful way.
Conclusion
All in all, the trip was a major success for the students and teachers alike. The play was a masterpiece of creativity, the food was a big hit due to its delightful flavors and the restaurant’s charming looks, and New York City’s Times Square was as perfect as hoped.
Students were sent on their way home with high spirits and moments that will live in their memories (and camera rolls) forever.
Another huge shout-out to the teachers who organized this entire event and kept the students safe and cared for during their time outside of the school. Ms. DeAngelis, Mrs. Candia-Bovi, and Mr. Wheeler are incredible teachers in our school community, and were excellent on the school trip as well. From every student on the trip: thank you!
