Fifteen Santa Maria High School Alpine Club members explored the natural wonders of Yosemite National Park during the weekend of May 2-5.
Students hiked Vernal and Nevada Falls, learned about Yosemite geography, and explored the history of the area at the Village Exploration Center and museum. Students witnessed the beauty of seeing Yosemite in the spring with the raging waterfalls and beautiful Dogwood trees (which only bloom for a brief period in the springtime), to seeing the dramatic granite walls and gigantic trees covered in snow. Many of the students experienced snow for the first time.
The Alpine Club has been active on campus since the 1960’s, and Yosemite has been one of the key destinations for the club for most of those years. The club is dedicated to helping students experience and appreciate nature, challenge themselves physically, and learn both teamwork and leadership skills.
“Spending time with friends in the outdoors and enjoying the beauty of Yosemite from morning to night are memories that I will never forget.” – Moises Lira Cazares, 12th grade.
“The experience was very fun overall, and the snow was very fun but the best part was the people I met.” – Anthony Martinez, 9th grade.
“Going to Yosemite for the second time, I knew what to expect, but when we got there it was a huge rollercoaster and I definitely did not expect to be in a snowstorm. Overall, it was very memorable and would 100% do it again.” – Angelica Hilario, 12th grade, Alpine club President 2023-2024.
“Yosemite was like a home for brave hikers, like the Alpine Club.” – Marco Vasquez, 12th grade.
Club Advisors, Amy Hennings and Oscar Velasco, organized the trip.
“It is always wonderful to see Yosemite through the eyes of the students who are seeing it for the first time,’’ Hennings added. “Witnessing the wonder of this incredibly gorgeous place through their eyes is very rewarding. Many of our students have never left Santa Maria, so this was an incredible experience for them.”
