RHS students explore Costa Rica in spring break trip

Thirteen Rhinelander High School students — Eva Hetland, Nicole Brunette, Cassie Burke, Claire Caselton, Lucas Haselton, Aiden Ostermann, Brody Kowieski, Michael Schiek, Katherine Ripple, Makinzie Arneson, Brynn Teter, Greyson Gremban and Ellyse Younker — traveled to Costa Rica over spring break with chaperones Mara Krueger and Mathew Nichols.

According to a School District of Rhinelander press release, “the journey began with the excitement of airports and airplanes, landing in Costa Rica, the Blue Zone of Central America, renowned for its flavorful fresh fruit and warm hospitality.”

 The students explored a local fruit market, “tantalizing their palates with exotic fruits like sapotes, guanabanas, and maracuyá. Their educational tour continued with lessons on medicinal plants and sustainability at a retired principal’s farm, followed by sugar cane juice and chocolate making and tasting. Swimming in hot springs near the Arenal volcano provided insight into the country’s geothermal activity. They also visited Rio Frio, where they spectated the diverse wildlife, including playful monkeys and sloths along the road.”

 In San Carlos, the students immersed themselves in local culture through folk performances and participated in traditional dances and community games at a local school. 

“Here local students acted like paparazzi chasing RHS students trying to collect their autograph,” the release notes. “Their visit extended to an indigenous reservation which revealed jungle secrets, medicinal plants, and organic food, culminating with a blessing ceremony, the presentation of a gift from our Ojibwe nation, and a guanabana tree planting ceremony dedicated to our school. This tree, known for its medicinal qualities, will thrive carrying the name of our school. The trip also included explorations of historical sites at the Santa Rosa fort, concluding at their observatory with a breathtaking view of volcanoes over the lake, where the students spelled ‘Hodag.’” 

The day ended with a dancing and cooking class where students savored local delicacies on their own making of buñuelos, tortillas, and Casado, the release said.

 Additional activities included hikes around beaches and cities, snorkeling among vibrant sea life, and experiencing the festivities of San Jose. Through interactions with locals, teachers, and tour guides, students honed their Spanish skills and gained insights into the lives of Ticos, as the locals call themselves.

The adventure culminated with a farewell dinner and an interesting conversation with Doctor Alejandra Gonzalez, who shared an inside view of the country’s health care system and answered questions from students going into the medical field.

The release ends with the students extending their gratitude to the community members whose contributions made the trip possible, including Trig’s, Hodag Country Festival, CT’s Deli, Bessey’s Meat Market, the supportive RHS staff “and the amazing community of Rhinelander.”

 These lucky students not only had a memorable adventure but also gained valuable knowledge about alternative energy, cultural diversity, and environmental conservation in Costa Rica, an experience that they will forever cherish, the release notes.