Page 16 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2024 - Online Magazine

A YOUTHFUL A Youthful Perspective
PERSPECTIVE

Learning in in

Totality
T
otality

by Christiana McCourt

hunder filled the air as 26 students hill country since 1878. They scarfed opportunity with their phones, and
raced off the bus. Electric energy down pancakes in the cafeteria, all everyone took ‘mental screenshots.’ Only
Tand a symphony of wildlife conversations centering around that three minutes later, the world began to
surrounded them. They had just arrived afternoon. The students were assigned a brighten again. They continued to watch
at Junction and joined the crowds of project and began working on creating as the eclipse waned. Students remained
people waiting for the eclipse. informational videos about the eclipse. in awe the rest of the day, whispering
They explored everything from solar long past lights out.
Talkington students traveled to Texas eclipse safety to Baily’s beads. They
Tech University Junction Center to spent the entire morning filming a video The final day was bittersweet. Students
experience the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse, with their group to present at the end of presented their videos and laughed with
along with professionals from around the camp. their classmates about bloopers. New
nation. From April 7-9, they were given friends treasured their final moments,
the opportunity to meet with experts, The students paused their progress and the trip ended too soon. Goodbyes
learn from Tech faculty, watch the eclipse around noon to join the crowd of people were said, and students hugged their
in the path of totality, and make lifelong waiting for the eclipse. It began at 12:14, new mentors as they dragged their feet
memories with friends. and while they waited for totality, the to the bus. They returned home to the
students met with NASA scientists, predictable rising and setting sun, but
Sunday was full of firsts. After ambassadors, and journalists. The joyful they will never forget the magic of the
introductions were finished, students sound of a mariachi band added to the solar eclipse and the memories they
raced to their cabins. Together, they excitement. shared.
figured out how to force fitted sheets
onto top bunks, as well as the importance At 1:32, students
of rationing snacks. Later, students put on their
performed a skit to understand the solar eclipse glasses and
eclipse. One joyful and bubbly student watched as the sun
represented the sun, another grounded was fully covered.
and level-headed one represented The world went
the Earth, and a fun and bold student dark, and students
represented the moon. Together, gazed in awe at
they demonstrated how the three the 360° sunset.
interacted during a solar eclipse and Many captured the
the significance of the upcoming event. once-in-a-lifetime
Then they toured the film sites of live
broadcasting and scratched the surface
of journalism careers they could pursue.
The first day ended with s’mores and
stargazing.
The students woke up early Monday
morning, full of excitement and
anticipation. It was the day of the Total
Solar Eclipse, the first one in Texas

Christiana McCourt is a recent graduate from Talkington
High School where she was involved in sports and
UIL Journalism. In the Fall, she plans to attend Abilene
Christian University and study nursing.

16 Lubbock Senior Link