SWEET WATER – For the first time in more than 25 years, Sweet Water High School seniors will enjoy a school-sponsored senior trip when they take a bus trip to New York City in March.

“This is the first year we’ve done this. I have been looking for a way to pull this off,” Sweet Water principal Stan Stokley said. “I’ve always wanted to do it, but didn’t think I was capable of pulling it off.”

Sweet Water will be utilizing a company out of Birmingham that has planned the trip. That takes the pressure off Stokley and guarantees the students will see as many of the NYC attractions as possible.

“They’re excited,” Stokley said. “It’s a great opportunity for our kids. We want it to go well so we can do it every year.”

The tour, which will run from March 16-21, may be the only opportunity a number of the students from the rural community have to make such a trip.

“New York City makes Birmingham look like Sweet Water and it makes Atlanta like Thomasville,” Stokley said of what he has told the students about the city. “When you go to New York City, you’ll meet more people who are from a foreign country than people who are from the United States. It kind of broadens your horizons. Alabama is a very small part of a very large world.”

Sweet Water seniors going on the trip will be able to visit the United Nations Building, Chinatown, Little Italy, the Empire State Building and Wall Street among other popular sites.

“We’re providing them with one fundraiser activity, but the bulk (of the funding) will be theirs to provide,” Stokley said. “Our school does a catalogue gift wrap sale school wide. For our seniors, we’re going to let them put the profits they make toward the senior trip.”

Stokley also indicated the school will accept contributions on behalf of the students should anyone in the community feel inclined to help with the opportunity.

“There are always two or three kids that have trouble raising money,” Stokley said. “If there are people in the community who want to help out in sponsoring a student to go on this trip, they can contact me at the school.”