News Post

A group of St. Joseph’s Academy AP Art and Latin students spent their Mardi Gras holiday in Italy, immersed in the culture, art and ancient history of the beautiful country. They were accompanied by Art teacher Nicole Lane and Latin teacher Leigh Grace Rouyer. 

During their six days in Rome, the students toured Ostia Antica, where they enjoyed participating in a hands-on reenactment of a Roman funeral ceremony. They visited the Christian catacombs, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine and the Roman Forum. They participated in an interactive gelato-making demonstration and enjoyed a guided tour of Vatican City, where they explored St. Peter’s Basilica, viewed frescoes in the Sistine Chapel and saw the Pietà by Michelangelo. The travelers also took a day trip to Tivoli to visit Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d’Este, experiencing the architecture of ancient Rome and the beauty of Renaissance garden design.

On the seventh day, the SJA group traveled to Sorrento, where they hiked Mount Vesuvius and took a guided tour of Pompeii, walking through the excavated remains of what was once a thriving Roman city. On day eight, the students drove along the Amalfi Coast and enjoyed an underground tour in Naples, where they explored ancient aqueducts and World War II bomb shelters.

“My hope for the girls was that they would gain insight into new cultures and immerse themselves in ancient traditions,” Lane said. “I hoped for them to experience history firsthand rather than simply reading about it. As art students, I especially hoped they would deepen their appreciation for Roman frescoes, monumental sculpture, architectural design and famous fountains created by renowned artists. By having Latin and art students travel together, it was truly a blend of history, art, faith, culture and immersive learning. Throughout our journey, we got comments on how well the girls represented SJA.” 

Senior Hannah Schiro said the trip was amazing. “Learning about the history of Italy and seeing how people lived gave me a new perspective that I’ve been thinking about ever since I came home,” she said. “It was really inspiring to see all the different art styles, and I can’t wait to incorporate what I saw into some of my pieces.”

Junior Evelyn Lane said she especially enjoyed the gelato-making class, exploring the ruins of Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d’Este and visiting beautiful historical monuments. “Each place helped bring what I’ve learned in school to life in a way I never expected,” she said. “This trip encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and explore the world with more curiosity. It also inspired me to learn more about different cultures, and it made me realize how much I truly enjoy traveling. I hope to continue exploring new places and experiencing more of what the world has to offer.”

Senior Amelie Covell said her experience was both incredible and memorable. "It was such a fun, beautiful and memorable trip, and I had such a great time getting to explore somewhere I may have never had a chance to see," she said. "The art, food and people were all incredible; I will remember this trip forever."