The class of 2026 enjoyed a long weekend in NYC. Tillie Averre, The Spectator’s Editor-in-Chief, shares the experience and her gratitude.
Day 1: 7:10 AM on November 13, 2025
And we’re off! Sleep mask on head, feet on footrest, it’s 7:10 in the morning and I’m ready to start my senior trip. By resting. But Buckeye Jim, our tour guide, can’t catch a hint. He rambled for the next forty minutes, and by then I already knew that his basement pool table is scarlet and gray (Buckeye colors) and what his daughter made him for Christmas.
Next thing I know, he’s pointing out a river we just passed. I should’ve been paying better attention to his story, because I only started listening when he mentioned “his intestines unraveling.” After asking my neighbors, I found out he was referring to some man in the 1700s running from an attack. Still, the dots weren’t connecting. Everyone was just looking around in disbelief as Mr. Janatovich, laughing, walks to the back of the bus and explains that they’re trying to cut his mic. Thankfully, he stopped talking soon after. I looked around and everyone else was shaking their heads and chuckling, putting their headphones and sleep masks back on. I did the same and wondered what Jim’s next anecdote would be.
After Lunch
Food and fresh air! I was starting to get hungry and nauseous on the bus so I just needed a break. I also decided to meditate in case I could dim the nausea by being mindful, and I had a realization. Since leaving the physical school setting, my layer of stress shrunk and packed itself away. I wasn’t as short with some people, even subconsciously, and I felt like I was seeing people in a different light.
Separately, I overheard Mrs. Kanzinger ask Mes Sheehan what she was most excited to see in New York. I’m assuming she meant tourist attractions, but Mes said “rats and pigeons.” I’m intrigued. Not surprised, just intrigued. I’ll make sure to follow up by the end of the trip.
We’ve Arrived
Speaking of this trip, I feel so privileged to be here. When it was first announced, I didn’t even bother bringing it up to my family because I figured we couldn’t afford it. My parents are already paying for my siblings and me to go on the spring Disney trip. Furthermore, they’re divorced, paying two separate mortgages, and working four jobs between the two of them.
I only brought the trip up in passing to my dad, and he urged me to ask Janatovich if there was still time to sign up. I warned him that I didn’t know how much it would cost, and I would understand if it was out of our price range, but my dad told me that if I really wanted to go, he would find a way to pay for it.
So, the very next morning I rushed to school and told Mr. Janatovich about my situation. He rapidly called our tour company to try and arrange space for me on the trip, and I mean in the duration of that ten minute meeting. He was even willing to give up his Wicked ticket for me! Listen, I think I’m great, but I didn’t think I was “give-up-a-ticket-to-broadway” great!
Obviously, things ended up coming together for me, and a month and a half later I stood on top of the Empire State Building, in awe of the city.
I was so grateful to have the opportunity to be a seed in the Big Apple.
This feeling of gratitude and privilege made me reflect on all of the people who first immigrated to New York City, and built it. I thought of all of the hands at work and their desire to live a better life than the one they led before they immigrated. It was quiet up there. I wonder if that was what everyone else was thinking about, too? If I was moved by this, what will tomorrow be like when we see the 9/11 Memorial? Then, Saturday when we see Ellis Island?
Day 2: Friday November 14, 2025
Alright, I’m PSYCHED for today! Central Park, The 9/11 Memorial, and WICKED! I was especially excited to see Wicked with Mrs. O so we could fan-girl together. I felt like I don’t get to see her as much this year as I want to, and I was excited to hang out more with her.
At first, I was feeling a little self-conscious because everyone was dressed so nicely, but I thought you can’t let this get in the way of having a good experience. I know when I travel I need some self-time, so I tried listening to a confidence-boosting meditation. Didn’t help.
Then, I turned on the ballad “I’m Here” from The Color Purple and I felt like myself again. In “I’m Here,” Cynthia Erivo affirmed, “I believe I have inside of me / Everything that I need to live a bountiful life. / And all the love alive in me,/ I’ll stand as tall as the tallest tree. /And I’m thankful for every day that I’m given, /Both the easy and hard ones I’m livin,”and I nodded along with my hand on my heart. Who wouldn’t feel empowered by those lyrics.
I can’t put my finger on the reason theater heals me, but it does, and I’m thankful for it. More than that, I’m grateful to believe that I deserve, and am capable of, the betterment of myself. That is the highest form of privilege. True, being on this trip is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but I’m happy that I have the tools to soak in the magnitude of the adventure. Success isn’t measured in dollar-amounts, it’s measured in one’s satisfaction with their reality.
To fast forward, we arrived at Central Park, and gained a native New York tour guide! I just remember thinking he looks so awesome. He had this twirly handlebar mustache and thinning hair, a crazy Hawaiian shirt that did not at all go with his pin- and patch-covered jacket, and an aura that would physically manifest itself in the shape of a thin lightning bolt. He looked like he would’ve known where all the pigeons and rats are. Mes should’ve asked him for directions.
While we toured the park, we stumbled upon 2024 IHS graduate Ashley Todt! I heard from Mr. Janatovich that he heard her before he saw her, but when he turned, she was waving her arms around like a lively New Yorker. Apparently, she had no more classes at the New York acting school she attends and decided to meet up with the group. Eventually, he remembered that Jim (our OG tour guide) had seen Wicked many times and wasn’t as excited for it, and convinced Jim to give up his Wicked ticket for Ashley! I’m proud of Jim; that was kind of him.
After Central Park
Nature always makes me feel introspective. How many things do I do just to be able to tell a story? What do I enjoy and keep for myself? What else can I do for my own enjoyment? I guess you’ll never know.
Whispering Tiles
We toured Grand Central Station and it was beautiful, but my favorite part was in the halls. There’s a section called the “Whispering Tiles,” which earned its name when people figured out you can stand facing opposite corners of the round ceiling and whisper to someone on the opposite side. Emily Gibbons and Kayla Newcomer were our demonstrators. I asked Emily how it was and she said “I literally thought it was crazy the fact that I could have a whole blown conversation from across the room.” Lucy Spencer overheard me interviewing Emily on her reaction to the tiles and wanted me to write “‘cool’- Lucy” because I’m inferring she thought they were cool.
If anyone is looking for really good Italian food in New York, our NYC tour guide, Matt, says his favorite place is Michael’s of Brooklyn ( 2929 Avenue R in Brooklyn). They always say “You gotta get the sauce from the sauce.”
Is this Safe?
On the way to Chinatown, Matt, our tour guide, warned us about the street vendors. To elaborate, he said we shouldn’t be afraid of the street vendors because buying from them isn’t illegal, even though selling is. It was so random, I was personally a little worried for people who might’ve never learned how to hold their own on the street. That’s not to say that I have street smarts, either, but I haven’t lived in the Indy bubble my whole life and I like to think that I’m pretty street-cautious. Regardless, I didn’t have any cash to bargain with, so I was fine, but some of my friends bought off-brand handbags and wallets. Pictured in the gallery is Grady Wachs in conversation with a street vendor for a watch. Not sure if he was successful, although it looks like they were entertained.
Jim from THE OFFICE
Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness! My wildest dreams have come to fruition! On a tour through the Financial District we were blessed with seeing a live shooting from the show Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan starring John Krasinski from The Office!!
While walking around the set, I heard the crew shout “rolling” and I swear my jaw went slack.
My one childhood dream was to be a part of a movie set, and there I was! I walked over to Matthew Shamblen, who is a movie and T show wiz, and whispered “this is your thing!” He said, “I know!” and we were both so utterly starstruck. A few minutes later, I wasn’t ready to go so I stayed near Mrs. O and Tate McGovern and we even got the pleasure of being scolded by a crew member telling us to “act like we’ve been here before”! You want me to act? I’ll show you acting! If I act like I’ve been there, I might make the final cut!
I think the rest of the group already moved on, and we caught up to them and after being shooed away by the crew.
Weirdly enough, two hours previous, I reflected on how people come from everywhere to be in New York and I was wondering if we’d see anyone famous. Mrs. O wanted me to start “reflecting” on seeing a famous Broadway Star next. We were both fan-girling so much!
Speaking of fan-girling, Matthew Liepert and Tate McGovern became curious about Wicked, they were asking what I thought of it and what to expect. I am so bad at keeping secrets sometimes, so I was struggling not to mention the coolest part of “Defying Gravity” which is an effect they do with her cape (anyone who has seen it will know what I’m talking about, but I’m trying to continue to keep it a secret for those who haven’t). It made me happy that people were taking an interest in the show we were seeing. Not only that, but they were coming to me to learn about it. It made me feel important. Later on, I found out that Emily Gibbons and Elyse Grill also knew the show pretty well so I felt excited to share this experience with everyone. Some bus karaoke was promised.
9/11 Memorial Museum
What can I say to convey the grief streaming through each silent room? It needs to be witnessed, not read. It needs to be seen in the videos of the crashes, and heard in the phone calls to spouses of the panicked plane riders, and felt in the drawings of overwhelmed children. Or, seen in the eyes of the grief- and guilt-stricken museum visitors. At the beginning of the museum, I was walking through with Ella Tokich, and Ms. Quinn’s group, but I accidentally separated with Ella when she was drawn in by the “Trauma and Children’s Art” exhibit. I didn’t blame her, I ended up being consumed by the idea of that exhibit after the trip was over.
Sometimes, I feel like people try to suppress feelings of sadness in public. I think, if they don’t feel in control of the environment, it makes them feel vulnerable. Yet, there, it was completely normal and appropriate to become emotional. That’s not to say that everyone was comfortable, but the effects of 9/11, especially to the people alive around then, were lasting and upsetting. In one of the exhibits I found Ms. Quinn, and she seemed to be experiencing some sadness. I reflected on how she probably wasn’t that old when it happened and wondered what this memorial meant to her. Separately, I thought about how Mr. McGuinness must be interpreting all of these artifacts and videos. In contrast with some parts of history that strike me as unrelatable, this memorial was impactful and engaging. I bet all the gears were spinning in Mr. McGuinness’ mind.
Stardust Diner
Later that night we ate at the Stardust Diner, which is a restaurant right around the corner from Gershwin Theater (Wicked’s Broadway homebase). I absolutely loved it! For those who’ve never heard of Stardust, it hires people who are trying to make it on Broadway and they sing karaoke for the guests while they serve their food. I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich with fries and an ice cream sandwich. Luckily, I liked my food, but a couple people bit down on a Glind-ified burger (bright pink). I joked that maybe the cooks did karaoke, too. Nevertheless, I had fun and I wondered if anyone who served us will make it to Broadway soon.
Wicked
I did it. I saw a Broadway show. A real dream came true. I wanted my Dad to know how much it meant for me to make it there. To see my people. To feel connected with myself. The sacrifices my parents made for me to have that opportunity was no joke, and to be honest I feel a little guilty getting to enjoy all of this because it was practically free for me. Still, I felt like things came full circle for me.
Which brings me to our last endeavor…
The Cruise, November 15, 2025
We toured the whole island of Manhattan. Pretty awesome. I thought I might get emotional when I saw the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island because I was thinking about my family’s escape of the Holocaust and how lucky I am to be generations away from that. Still, unfortunately, the mood did not compare in the slightest to how I was impacted by the 9/11 Memorial. Honestly, I think the difference between the two was being able to hear personal and scarring anecdotes and videos, whereas the importance of the moment passed me by on the cruise. I feel like that level of impact says something deep. I need time to figure it out.
Fin
Almost back! Journal in my palm, and pen in my hand, we were ten minutes from home and I was intrigued to know what a few of my friends and chaperones are going to take away from this trip.
I was happy to hear that Tate and Matthew were highly impressed by Wicked. Tate loved the set design, especially how they were suspended mostly by ropes, and Matthew was impressed by the actors’ detailed technique and how “situationally aware” it felt.
Mrs. O was also dazzled by Wicked, but she mostly enjoyed hearing all of the students’ reactions to the show, especially the ones who were shocked by the twists in the second act. Aside from that, she really enjoyed “stumbling onto a movie set” and watching us enjoy New York.
Unfortunately, Mes was highly disappointed in her Rat and Pigeon Crusade, and she remarked that the dead rat “was a big let down,” but she was happy with the pigeon gate (ask her for details if you’re curious)!
Sam Bernhart, Alex Waski, and the other guys in the back of the bus started blasting songs like “Moves Like Jagger,” which can be heard in the background of the voice memos of my interviews. It was a good vibe.
Next, I asked Mr. Janatovich about his favorite part of the trip, since he liked it enough last year to want to go again. He recalled that, rather than a tour or event, he most enjoyed seeing his students enjoying the trip, especially since they had more freedom to shop, look around, and actually experience New York.
After that, I heard about Ms. Quinn and Mr. McGuinness’ experiences in the 9/11 Memorial. Unfortunately, Ms. Quinn was interrupted by Jim’s anecdotes and announcements a comical number of times, but I gathered that she was, in fact, really young, and each anniversary she learned a little more about what really happened. However, she expanded her understanding of the tragedies when seeing all of the faces of the people who lost their lives on the memorial wall; it struck her that they were real human beings. More than that, she related to them because some were her age in their wedding dresses. Lastly, she felt sad for those who chose to jump out of the tower as opposed to going up in flames.
Finally, I learned that Mr. McGuinness found the museum “overwhelming in terms of memory with the artifacts and it literally does take you back to the day and where you were, what you were doing when you heard the news.” He was also intrigued by the cruise around the entire island of Manhattan because it brought a book he studied to life. It’s called The Power Broker about the NYC planner Robert Moses who built many of the bridges and highways we went under on the cruise. However, Mr. McGuinness warns readers that Moses was a controversial decision-maker because he also destroyed many neighborhoods in the process of building some of the highways.
Ultimately, this trip was quite the endeavor! Even though the nausea took four days to wear off, I still enjoyed our excursion and all of the surprises it delivered. Many of us will have shirts, snow globes, and off-brand handbags to spark nostalgia years later. But the trinkets and souvenirs we packed away were incomparable to the seeds blossoming in our memories from the Big Apple. The cruise sprouted a seed of humanity in my mind.
I’ve come to the conclusion that the deepest level of human connection and understanding comes from vulnerability, silence, and respect, as proved in the 9/11 Memorial, and in contrast to my experience on the cruise past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. They were both wonderful monuments, and they provoked deep thought about my ancestry. Still, it wasn’t presented with the same gravity. It was silent, but it was hard to read the rest of the group, whereas there was something hopeful about the Memorial, where we combatted the inhumanity and heartlessness of the terrorist acts with empathy and love, the very things that make us human. It’s learning to be vulnerable and allowing others to be, as well.
As peers and students and teachers (oh my!), we’ve all walked the Independence Halls day by day, side by side, but how well do we know each other’s habits and philosophies? More importantly, how comfortable are we really being ourselves in each other’s presence? Regardless, I’m thankful to all the people who worked for me to have the privilege to be on this trip and enjoy my last year in high school. And to those who couldn’t join us, I hope there may be more opportunities for you to extend yourself past the day by day, and even realize your own privilege, not in dollar amounts but satisfaction with your reality.
