Crocus Plains Students Reflect on Transformative Europe Tour

Nine students from Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School have returned home after an impactful 10-day tour across Europe, designed to connect Manitoba youth with the historical realities of war, sacrifice, and remembrance. This initiative marks a significant step in educational travel, as it is the first of its kind funded by the provincial government.

The group, consisting of students Jay Elias, Mary Akinbode, Cole Hingey, Xandria Roulette, and others, was accompanied by teachers Shayne Macgranachan and Kat Hunkin. Their journey included visits to historic sites such as Vimy Ridge, Juno Beach, and the Anne Frank House, providing a profound educational experience.

Upon learning about their selection for the trip, Grade 11 student Cole Hingey initially thought it was a joke. “I didn’t get an email, so I thought it was a very cruel joke,” he shared. “It didn’t feel real until we were boarding the plane in Toronto.” Once in Europe, Hingey explored locations that deepened his understanding of Canadian history. “I learned I knew nothing about Juno Beach before,” he noted. “Canadians took so long to move because every step was dangerous.”

Mary Akinbode had a similar reaction to her selection. “My parents thought the email might be a scam,” she said, emphasizing the emotional impact of visiting significant sites. “It felt really deep down in the heart. They sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Being there was my way of showing respect.”

The trip also left a lasting impression on Xandria Roulette, who learned of her selection right after her last exam. “We joke a lot, so I thought my mom was messing around,” she recalled. The conditions soldiers faced struck her deeply, giving her a newfound appreciation for modern comforts. “Trenches, dugouts, limited food… it made me grateful for what we have now,” she explained.

For Grade 12 student Jay Elias, the experience was eye-opening. “The museums gave a really deep look into how crazy things got,” he said, adding that seeing how people hid intentionally during the war brought the historical narratives to life. His interest in construction also flourished during the trip, as he admired the architectural efforts behind the museums and memorials.

Teachers Macgranachan and Hunkin found the tour to be less about supervision and more about witnessing student growth. Hunkin noted the students’ evolving understanding of how to respectfully engage with historical sites. “The legacy of war is still so present there,” she remarked. “Before you build in Canada, you check for hydro lines. There, you check for the possibility of bodies buried 100 years ago.”

Macgranachan observed that by the end of the journey, students felt a connection to the places they visited. “Sometimes I didn’t even feel like a chaperone — more like a tourist with them,” he said. He particularly noted the significance of Vimy Ridge, where the landscape still bears the marks of war. “It doesn’t forget, even 100 years later. And we shouldn’t either.”

The group’s departure coincided with Indigenous Veterans Day, and they reached the midpoint of their journey on Remembrance Day, which added a deeper meaning to their experiences. Their itinerary included poignant stops in Amsterdam, Paris, the Normandy region, and the Flanders Fields Museum, as well as participation in the nightly Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres.

As the students settle back into their routines in Brandon, many express gratitude for the experience. Cole Hingey encapsulated the sentiment: “I’m really grateful I got chosen. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I’ll remember it forever.”

This initiative, inspired by Premier Wab Kinew following his visit to the 80th anniversary of D-Day in 2024, aims to fund travel for Manitoba youth to significant historical sites related to the First and Second World Wars. The program not only educates but also fosters a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made by previous generations.