Los Angeles Member Trip 2014: A look back

HonorSociety.org prides itself on being a very diverse and intellectually curious community. I had a chance to see this first hand on the Los Angeles member trip this past Decemember. On the first night we went to the Santa Monica Pier with a group dinner and unlimited ride pass (the historic pier has rides including a roller coaster, ferris wheel, and more standard carnival rides. The following days we visited the Space Shuttle Endeavor, Musuem of Tolerance, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Mademe Tussaud's Wax Musuem, Ripley's Believe It or Not, The Hollywood Bowl, Paramount Studios and much more. The tour itself provided so much context for growth and discovery, from historical landmarks to current events and popular culture. I personally learned the most and was inspired by the interactions with our members.

For at least two members of our trip, this was the first time they has ever seen the ocean. Seeing the looking on their eyes as we got off the bus by the Santa Monica Pier as they first saw the Pacific Ocean was truly remarkable. Those were once-in-a-lifetime, or at least first in lifetime moments, and it was heart-warming to know that we helped facilitate these experiences. Simple moments like these are the most inspiring for me, and reminded me of why we work so hard at HonorSociety.org to faciliate these experiential education trips. 

Another one of the trip's main highlights was our member banquet featuring a presentation by the American Red Cross, speaking to our $30,000 fundraiser for the International Services Fund, and the honorary member induction of US World Cup star Cobi Jones. Cobi gave a great speech talking about what leadership means in a team context and how belief in yourself and your goals can help an individual reach their dreams.

HonorSociety.org is planning to do the Los Angeles Member Trip again in 2015! The dates will be December 26-30, 2015. For more information please visit the trip page.