Waxahachie High students have an opportunity to go to Japan in Spring 2025.

The Culture Club is offering an experience for students to be able to see Japan in live action and embrace its culture. Savanna Sears, WHS French teacher and Culture Club sponsor, says the trip’s location is ultimately based on timing.

“To figure out which trip is best for our school (it’s) … based on how popular it’s going to be and the price range,” Sears said. “We narrow it down to the timing because we don’t want students to miss school. Then, after that it’s all about recruitment and making sure that we’ll hit the numbers.”

Sears mentioned the fact that some current WHS students used to be involved in an Anime Club, piquing their interest in Japanese culture. Right now, 14 students are signed up to go. Senior Jazyria Duvall expressed her gratitude on adventuring to Japan.

“Something I’m looking forward to is trying authentic Japanese food  — mostly sushi,” Duvall said. Duvall is choosing to go on this trip because of the experience and opportunities that Japan has to offer.

“While I have gone on the past two trips the school has offered, me and my Dad have been wanting to go to Japan for years,” Duvall said. “So when I heard about this one chance to be able to go, I just knew I couldn’t miss this opportunity.”

Sears said students will be able to take in the scenery and history in Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima and Yokohama — seven days on the ground and two days of flying. Throughout the week-long trip, they’ll voyage to four cities. These cities will offer a variety of cultues and customs in Japan, Sears explained.

“I’m hoping to learn more about the culture and history of Japan,” DuVall said. “I think that although it’s cool to learn about different countries and cultures in school, it doesn’t come even close to the feeling you get when you visit the place in person because you’re there seeing this new place in person for yourself.”

Sears said her desire to contribute to this trip stems from teaching a foreign language, and for the students, to experience new viewpoints in life.

“I want the kids to experience and have them connect to other cultures,” Sears said.

The choice to go to Japan was something DuVall couldn’t miss out on. She explained these trips encourage “…seeing things that can only be found by traveling somewhere new.”