Day 10: Closing reflection Day
Student Trip Blog
Greetings Friends and Family!
The following message is brought to you by the leaders of the day: Denise, Margaret, and Magnus.
Today us Glimpsers left Panama City and took a five hour bus ride to Chitre. Throughout the drive we saw many familiar stores and shops. Including McDonalds, Popeyes, KFC, Crocs, Planet Fitness and many more. It was nice to see places familiar to us while also seeing places distinct to Panama and its culture. On our way to Chitre we stopped at Van and Ven (a pit stop) where we ate lunch and then continued on the road. After lunch we had the great pleasure of speaking with and learning from Lucrecio Batista, Chitre’s most famous pottery artisan. Lucrecio operates a family owned and operated pottery artisan business for the past 33 years. He gave us an overview of pottery artisan history starting in Mexico, and gave some Glimpsers (Layla, Symir, Carlie, Liya, Roliber, Redina) the ability to make pots, using his electric and manual clay making machines. Roliber kindly took on the role of translating for the entire group and formed a friendly bond with Lucrecio throughout the day. The group also was able to paint handmade pots made by Lucrecio himself. Lucrecio immersed us into a deep history while also offering us a hands-on experience in his cherished field. We learned the history of clay and how to make objects out of it, while also learning that ourselves as a team works together like clay (supporting each other and learning with each other throughout the day).
After our time with Lucrecio we arrived at the Rex Hotel, where we familiarized ourselves with the area and participated in group workshops. The last activity of the day followed the leaders of the day “passing the torch” to tomorrows new leaders. All seven leaders shared talents with the Glimpsers deepening the sense of comradery already existing between the group.
Thank you for reading our blog, and please comment (all are read to the Glimpsers) and look forward to our future blogs.
Comments (39)
Natasha Virga
Magnus,
Looks like so much fun! I love these photos and the blogs! So glad we get to read these daily! Enjoy this time learning and soaking up all you can!
Xo,
Mom
Brian P
Hi Denise, Margaret, Hailey, Layla and Soc! (plus all of your new travel buddies)
It looks like your trip is off to a fantastic start! I’m so excited to see all of you enjoying these incredible experiences and exploring all that Chitre has to offer. It’s so cool that you got to learn from such a skilled pottery artisan, and I’m glad to see you are growing as leaders and as a supportive community for each other!
I’m really proud to see you represent MCHS out there, but I’m not at all surprised at how much you are diving into this opportunity, because I know first-hand the wonderful people that you are. Keep it up, and Happy Birthday Mars!
Can’t wait to hear all about the trip when you all get back.
Big Love,
Brian
Cheryl
Denise and Margaret!!!!
I hope you are having the BEST time! So excited for your new adventures.
Be safe and have fun! I can’t wait to hear all about it in September!! 🙂
Craig Blinderman, MD
Looks like fun!
Laura Pawson
Denise, Margaret, Hailey, Layla, I am SO proud of each of you for stepping out of your comfort zones and exploring Panama with Global Glimpse. I value your flexibility and positivity with the changes that happened with your trip. You all are super stars.
Denise- don’t miss SSS too much as you travel through a new country!
Margaret- keep smiling and stay positive!
Hailey- break out of your introvertedness and connect with new people!
Layla- I am sure you are taking tons of photographs, I can’t wait to see them. Exhibition at MCHS when you get back?
We love you and are so proud of you! <3 MCHS Family
Cheryl
Denise and Margaret!!!!
It looks like you ladies are having an amazing adventure! I loved reading about what you’ve seen so far! Congratulations on becoming student leaders so early in your journey.
I can’t wait to hear all about the trip when we get back to school! 🙂 💚 Stay safe, have fun and enjoy every moment.
Cheryl
Cheryl
Leyla and Hailey!
I don’t want you to think I forgot about you! I hope you are both having the mist amazing time! It’s so cool that you’re able to so this, and even cooler that you’re doing it with your friends from school!
Enjoy and be safe 💚
Cheryl
Cheryl
Leyla and Hailey!
I don’t want you to think I forgot about you! I hope you are both having the mist amazing time! It’s so cool that you’re able to so this, and even cooler that you’re doing it with your friends from school!
Enjoy and be safe 💚
Cheryl
Mike Bonventre
This is so cool! What a great adventure. Really love these pictures.
Gennesys
Greetings from Home to Our Panama Explorers!
I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am for all of you as you embark on this unforgettable journey in Panama. And okay… maybe a tiny bit jealous, but we’ll pretend I didn’t say that. :’)
This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience-exploring a new country, stepping into a different culture, and doing it all w/o the constant pull of your phone or social media. That kind of presence is rare and beautiful. Embrace it!!
There will be days when you’re tired. There might be moments when you miss home. But remember: you’re doing something extraordinary that many people only dream of. This is your chance to learn, reflect, grow, and truly live in the moment. <33
Take time to journal. Snap Polaroids. Capture the sounds, the smells, the feelings-because one day, these memories will be treasures.
<3 Denise – I am SO proud of you. I know stepping out of your comfort zone can be hard, but you’re doing it, and that’s powerful. Keep pushing forward b/c I believe in you. You are amazing
<3 Margs – Our brilliant scholar! The only senior on my caseload who’s officially finished all her high school classes! You’re amazing and you deserve every bit of this adventure.
<3 My Hailey Bailey– The heart of gold. I know you’re out there making sure everyone feels safe and seen. Your kindness doesn’t go unnoticed, never change, you are a true role model (plus you look like a model girllllll.. ok let me stop so I do not embarrass you…. too late? lol)
<3 Layla – With your confidence, humor, and energy, you’re probably keeping the group smiling and grounded. Your spirit is something I truly admire. I know you will capture incredible moments with your photography skills.
<3 SOC! – Thank you for making this journey possible. Your commitment to creating meaningful experiences for our students is inspiring, and we are so grateful.
Sorry for this extra long post. Sending love and light to each of you from back home. Keep your hearts open and your eyes wide…and don’t forget to look up at the stars tonight :'D
LOVE YOU GUYS!!! ok bye haha
Valerie
Thank you for all the pictures! So good to see your faces and where you are. Remember to enjoy and experiment the culture as much as you can, you’ll be home so fast!
Bravo Carlie pour la pottery y abla Espanol, my amor. Je t’aime!
Michael Bonventre
This is so cool! What a great experience!
Lea Bisignano
Dear Magnus,
Not bro being in Panama lol. Do they have any labubu dubai chocolate matcha lattes down there? Let me know via pigeon.
Michelle
Looks like you had lots of fun Ani hope it was a meaningful experience and can’t wait to see more!
Ilnura
Hi everyone!! Hope all of you have a fun!! Alfirka, I like your outfit!!!🩷🩷🩷 Mom and Dad are saying hi and ask to take care of yourself!!!
Enjoy and be careful!!!
Your family😘😘
Sanaa Stokes
Hey Carlie, I know I promised to write, and I’m keeping my word! I miss you tons and hope you’re having an amazing time. I haven’t had açaí since you’ve been gone, which is definitely been rough. I can’t wait to hear every single detail about your trip. Also, tell Summer I miss her close friends story! I hope my pilates princess liya is thriving. Miss all of you!! Açaí you later☺️☺️
melissa gitlin
Hey! so proud if all of you- stepping out of your comfort zone is not easy!! It looks incredible so far! Enjoy!!
Melina Lynch
Magnus,
So happy I get to read this and follow along on how your trip is going. Sounds like you all are having a great time so far, doing some cool stuff. Can’t wait to read more about it!
Hugs,
Aunt Mimi
Jenny
Awesome!
Yinnette V
Babygirl..!!! Miss you sooo much Hailey! I see you taking pictures! Cant wait to see them..! Love you baby! Grandma says hi and she misses and loves you and hopes you are having a blast!
Denise and Mars hope you girls are having a blast! Enjoy Panama!!
Yinnette V
Babygirl!!!! Grandma and i miss you so much! Hope you and all the Glimpsers are having a blast!!! Cant wait to see the pictures and to hear all about your adventures! Love you baby girl!
Sara C
Hailssss,
I hope your having so so so much fun with Denise and Margret and also meeting other people, I can’t wait for you to come back and tell me everything! Miss you x1000
-Sara
Rachel
Hi Mars, Layla, Denise, Hailey and Soc!
Your trip looks absolutely incredible!! What an amazing experience!! I can’t wait to hear all about it. Have the best time!!
Rachel
Daniya
Hi, Alfira! How are u doing ? How was your another day? Enjoy! Love you so much, Dad, Mom and Ilnura, we are proud of you 👏🏻
Daniya
Hi, Alfira! How are u my girl, enjoy your another day, love you so much Dad, Mom and Ilnura !!
Redina
What a great experience! It looks like so much fun! I’m so excited for your new adventure. Love, Mom ❤️”
Olivia
Heyyy Layla!
Hopefully you’re reading this during your trip..anyways! Look’s like you’re having fun. Me and Gilbert just got back! We had a great time and can’t wait to hear from you–sounds like rest of our community is in these comments too! I’ll be trying to comment every day so look out for them bestie. Hopefully you’re making friends and having a good time, I see you and your camera Miss photography girl.
P.S. Hopefully you wrote more in that google doc than ‘alright’.
Love,
Olivia<3
Keren
What a wonderful group and a special, experience. It is heart expanding to read your blogs and see the photos.
Liya and Carlie- thinking about you. Hope you are drinking and sharing some good Matcha…😘
sending lots of love ❤️ ❤️
Aima..
Ariana A
Looks like so much fun! I hope everyone’s enjoying their time in Panama!! Ani, I miss you so much already I have so much to tell you when you’re back in NYC 😉. Anyway, I hope you’re having fun… not too much fun though we still need you back 🤙.
Lyuda
Hello there 🤗 Ani, Dina You guys look great and I can see you are having fun, I’m so happy that you are having your amazing experience 🤗
Have fun and enjoy your every moment! Love you MOM
Can’t wait to see the new pictures
Alexis Peters
Gn everyone sending to all of you stay saf and blessed please enjoy the experience love Mrs Peters Aisha mummy miss enjoy with your friends 🙏🏾🌹😘
Odina
Nozima, that looks pretty cool and interesting, hope your enjoying your time there
Ps. Dad misses you a lot
Michelle
Hey Ani looks like you’re having lots of fun! Hope the experience was enjoyable and that you took many pictures enjoy!!!
Naomi
Hi Kyla,
So this is the second post for the night. Im not sure where my previous long post went. I literally came back to share some more updates but then noticed my post is not there 😢.
So let’s start over
OMG, I’ve been posting on your personal blog but I’m not sure if they’re reading the personal blog or just the daily blogs 😢. I hope you got mine, your father and sister messages but in case you didn’t….
Post 1 Mommy- on July 3, 2025 at 12:49 am
The journey started with some turbulence, but I’m sure it will be an unforgettable experience!
Post 2- Daddy
on July 6, 2025 at 11:45 am
Im so excited for you my beautiful princess. Daddy knows wherever you are, you will leave ur kind and loving imprint. Im so proud of you!!!
Post 3-Kayla (Twin Sister)
on July 6, 2025 at 3:04 pm
heyy ky, we all miss you but we hope you are having fun and learn things about yourself as well as the place you are staying and gain some important skills that can help you in the future.
Post 4 Mommy!!
on July 7, 2025 at 1:11 am
Hey Princess!
I miss you 😢😢 But I am so happy and proud of you. You were definitely adamant in pursuing this. I hope you’re having a great time and so far it’s meeting your expectations…. Kyla how’s the ice cream
🤭🤭🤭
Post 5 Mommy
All the above lol!! Plus
I hope you’re having an awesome time. I miss my twin!
Guess what!!! The Dress is Fix!!! Praise the Lord!! lol
I love you forever
Goodnight 😘
Post 6 Mommy
I believe I got my entry song. It’s been Jazzy Approved!!
Have I embarrassed you enough lol 🥰🥰😘
See you soon kiddo!!
Michael Cooper
Hi Layla, Margaret, Denise, and Hailey!
I’m so excited for you all to experience Panama in such a unique way. It’s really cool you are all there together. I hope you all take it all in while you are there. I was in Panama back in 2006 with a friend of mine but just for fun. You all are doing important work! I hope to hear some stories when we get back in September.
Hello Brian and Soc! Enjoy your time and see you in September!
Mike
Liberky Torres mon Roliber
It’s a source of gratitude for me to see my son share and have new experiences in his life. I’m immensely grateful to you.
Casey
Hey Soc and Mars,
Looks like a great trip enjoy your new experiences and keep sharing with us.
MELISA RIVERA
What an eventful day! Wishing you all a wonderful time as you continue to meet new people and explore.
Sending much love to our MCHS crew!
Melisa
Casey
Hello All,
I hope you are all having fun, gaining some new friends and learning from all the new experiences. Layla and Hailey did you enjoy making pottery? It Looks like you are all having fun and we cannot wait to hear your stories.