Costa Mesa High students back from trips to China, New Orleans

Two groups of Costa Mesa High School students wrapped up trips across and beyond the country last week.

Band teacher Sandy Gilboe and 14 band members left March 31 for five days in New Orleans.

Instructor Lu Wang and eight students in her Mandarin 3 class departed April 2 for Beijing and Xi’an for a week in China.

As Wang’s students toured sites such as the Great Wall of China and Xi’an’s Terracotta Army sculptures, she urged them to communicate in Mandarin with local residents and one another.

“I was excited for the trip because I knew I’d be able to apply what I’ve learned to more life situations,” said Kris Araracap, a Costa Mesa High senior who took the trip.

In New Orleans, Costa Mesa’s band students toured the swamps, roamed the French Quarter and attended a performance at Preservation Hall, where they met professional musicians.

“New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz,” Gilboe said. “It’s a city that’s vibrant with live music, whether it be in the clubs or in the streets. They got to see something that you don’t see anywhere else.”