On Wednesday, Nov. 24, all seventh-grade students participated in a field trip to the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. They saw “A Christmas Carol.” This was incorporated into to their study of Charles Dickens’ story “A Christmas Carol,” which was read in their English or reading classes.

The teachers were pleased with how well the students represented Southwest Middle School. The students even dressed nicely. This year, the staff at the theater commented after the play about how good the students were.

For many students, this was a rare opportunity. The school has taken seventh-graders on this field trip since 1995. It has become a tradition at the middle school. Because the students study the story, they can compare this to the play. The students were impressed by the special effects during the play. The consensus among the students was that the play was incredible, and they were pleased with the opportunity.

Every year some part of the funding to take this trip comes from the Southwest Middle School fundraiser. For the past few years, our newest and healthiest fundraiser has been the Southwest Tiger Trot. In April, students commit to participating in this fun walk/run event which begins and ends at Brookside Education Center. The money earned through registration and pledges defers the cost of the trip for all of the seventh-graders for the next school year. This year’s fee of $30 was reduced to $10 as each student received a subsidy equal to $20 from last spring’s Tiger Trot, so they could go on this year’s trip. There are also scholarship funds available to families in need. No one is left out. The success of this spring’s Tiger Trot will make next year’s field trips happen at Southwest Middle School.