From the Spartan Spectator November 2024 edition

Amari: Tell us about the NHS college trip and where all you went.

Trentston: So, to start off, we went through Port Angeles and Sequim. After we caught the ferry down in Poulsbo, I believe it is. We ended up in Seattle and we checked out the Seattle University where I had an amazing time with great dishes—it was really crowded though. I will admit that the diversity was a bit much for me, but, you know, there was some there to be cherished.

After we had visited the Seattle University, we ended up going to Bellingham and we went to the Western Washington University, but we did that the next day because we had to rest up. We had a meal, and then went to a really nice hotel that I was really grateful for. After we had the night at the hotel, we got up, we got ready, and then we had an amazing breakfast as well.

We went to check out the Western Washington University campus where I got to meet a lot of great professors. We had an amazing instructor, we had to take a couple because the campus was so big. We had an adventure into this practical auditorium they had. It was massive and it was really cool to see, especially when you grow up in such a small town, like Forks. I had an amazing time talking, I had an amazing time listening and they were very nice and generous.

Even after the amazing meals —I keep mentioning because they were so good—they had their own snack and desserts they’d give out. So that was how much I enjoyed the campus and how much I enjoyed the architecture and looks of it all.

Amari: Who was allowed to go on this trip? Who went this time?

Trentston: If you’re going for the sign-up requirements, I believe it was 3.5 GPA overall or throughout your high school. And who went this time? I had some good buddies who went. It was diverse between some juniors and some seniors. […] we had enough people from both genders. They even got a van full of women and a van full of men. We were all very comfortable the whole time. We both enjoyed the trip at our own pace. And, throughout the days and nights, we got to switch out between teachers. As drivers, I mean—switch out between drivers. Mr. Richards and Mrs. Archibald were very generous to take us [they were] amazing to have.

Amari: How did you feel about college before going and how do you feel now?

Trentston: This was a big question after I read the prompt before the interview because I went into the whole trip thinking I was just going to go for the experience. I really had no plan in going to college because it was too scary and too expensive and too big of an idea to me. But, after some coaching and realization, I realized: I really now want to go to college.

I’m pretty dead-set on Western Washington University. I really liked being there and getting the real experience. It really legitimately made me want to go out there— [to work] towards being able to afford and accomplish everything I want to do at Western Washington University.

Amari: What was your favorite part about the trip?

Trentston: My favorite part about the trip—if I haven’t talked about it enough—well, it settles between two things. One: The ambiance of everything going on and around. The ambiance was amazing and so much different from what we experience here. If I had to chose a second one—that everyone would agree with me on—I’d have to go with cuisine (laughs), because you just get a whole lot for a whole lot of nothin’. Loved it.

Amari: What advice would you give to anyone considering attending the college trip in the spring?

Trentston: Ok. Advice I would give to anyone going on the college trip. Do it. Don’t fake being sick. Go! It is fun. It was amazing. You will have a blast.

You could be with two strangers, you could be with two enemies. You are going to love it if you go in with the right mindset. I wasn’t, but I left happier than I’d been in months and I think you really just got to get to it.

Amari: Thank you!

Trentston: Thank you for having me!