Sign-ups for the 2027 trip are live!
The History of Our Trip
The United States Bicentennial Celebration in 1976 was cause for celebration across the country. The festivities reverberated into every corner of the country, including the community around RHMS. In order to share and experience this momentous event, Mr. Terry Johnson, a former RHMS teacher, decided to organize an educational trip to Washington DC for students.
Eventually, Mr. Johnson passed the torch of responsibility to Mr. Gary Firenzi, who managed the trip for almost two decades. Upon his recent retirement, Mr. Firenzi continued the tradition of finding the most responsible and caring heirs, Mrs. Raghu, Mr. Burbank, and Ms. Gombis, who has since moved away. With Mrs. Raghu stepping down from leading the trip, Mr. Ramos will be taking her position.
Since 1976, the trip has grown from twenty-five students traveling for five days to about one hundred traveling for eight days. In this time, the types of learning experienced on the trip have been expanded to include other important aspects of American history and culture.
While the group of chaperones changes a bit each year, the trip leaders are much more consistent and experienced. Read about our two trip leaders below. More information about guest chaperones will be added when they have been decided upon.
2027 Trip Leaders and Chaperones
Trip Leader
2027 Chaperone
Trip Leader
Mr. Burbank (right): Now retired, Mr. Burbank shares his sense of humor and morning Starbucks runs with students who need a bit of hot cocoa to warm up (pictured w/ Mr. Firenzi).
Trip Leader
2027 Chaperone
Trip Leader
Mr. Ramos: An 8th grade ELA teacher, Mr. Ramos participates in cross country, run club, and track & field. He also takes runners on morning jogs at various locations on the East Coast Trip.
2027 Chaperone
2027 Chaperone
2027 Chaperone
Mr. Maruyama: An 8th Grade math/science teacher at RHMS, Mr. Maruyama brings an infectious enthusiasm to the classroom. He also coaches cross country, run club, and track & field.
2027 Chaperone
2027 Chaperone
2027 Chaperone
Ms. Zheng: A 7th/8th math teacher, Ms. Zheng brings her innate sense of peace and calm from the classroom to our trip. A bit of a foodie, Ms. Zheng lives for the different cuisines and treats we encounter on the trip.
2027 Chaperone
2027 Chaperone
2027 Chaperone
Ms. Tran: A 7th/8th math teacher, Ms. Tran brings her genuine curiosity, passion for learning, and a love for quiet spaces (haha!) to our oft less than peaceful east coast experience.
2027 Chaperone
2027 Chaperone
2027 Chaperone
Ms. Cheng: A counselor for all students on campus, Ms. Cheng brings her bubbly personality and a desire to explore packed away in her luggage.
TBD Chaperone(s)
TBD Chaperone(s)
TBD Chaperone(s)
Depending on trip needs, additional chaperones may be invited to travel with us.
Past Chaperones
Former Trip Leader
Former Trip Leader
Former Trip Leader
Mr. Firenzi: This former leader inherited and ran the trip for many years. His kind spirit and concern for creating the best experience possible for the participants led to the continued success of the trip today.
Former Trip Leader
Former Trip Leader
Former Trip Leader
Mrs. Raghu: An 8th grade science teacher, Mrs. Raghu has been long known by the affectionate nickname, the Trip Mother.
2026 Chaperone
Former Trip Leader
2026 Chaperone
Ms. Renteria: One of our fabulous RHMS office administrators who always has an answer to any problem we may have. Ms. Renteria brings extra attention to detail and Spanish language skills to our trip!
2026 Chaperone
2026 Chaperone
2026 Chaperone
Ms. Garcia: Hosting a menagerie of a science and math classroom, Mrs. Garcia brings years of warmth to the trip.
2024 Chaperone
2026 Chaperone
2024 Chaperone
Ms. Ramirez: Our former student-oriented office administrator; she is currently working out of the district office. Ms. Ramirez greatly misses the students whom she worked with the last few years!
2025 Chaperone
2026 Chaperone
2024 Chaperone
Ms. Megan: The current student-side office administrator, Ms. Megan brought her vigilance and care to the trip.