Students in Karen Manning’s African-American studies class at New Iberia Senior High have been learning about the development of blacks in the United States, from transatlantic slave trade to current issues.

Monday morning, 20 students, accompanied by chaperons, left the school destined to learn more about some famous historical sites for blacks in the United States.

For the rest of this week the students are scheduled to visit historical sites in Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York, and learn more about black history in those states.

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The trip cost approximately $1,000. To help fund the trip, students participated in several fundraisers at the school.

“This is the first year the class has been active in about three years. At the beginning of this year the kids were talking about how some kids were going to Europe on a history trip. So then I suggested to them, ‘How about an African-American studies trip and visit some famous African-American sites?’” Manning said.

“While we are in Baltimore we will visit the Great Blacks in Wax museum. In Philadelphia we will tour some of the Underground Railroad historical homes, and once we make it to New York we will visit Harlem to see some sites of the Harlem Renaissance, see The Color Purple on Broadway, before making an appearance on the CBS Early Morning Show on Thursday. Also, while we are in New York we will visit the Statue of Liberty,” said Manning.

Manning said if anyone wants to see the students on television the CBS Early Morning Show will air at 7 a.m. Thursday.

“I want the students to have fun on this trip. This trip will give the students a chance to see firsthand what they have already learned in the textbooks. I want to broaden their horizons,” she said.

Many of the students said they were eager to see the sites they have learned about this year while in the African-American studies class.

Kerrill James, a senior, said she has learned a lot about black history this year while taking the class.

“During class we talked about how blacks were treated in slavery days, and I think it is very unique we are going on a trip to see some sites,” James said.

Paula Ebony Bryant, a junior, agreed with James.

“I am really looking forward to seeing Ground Zero, and I am really excited to be going to New York,” Bryant said.

“I think the trip will be very educational, and I can’t wait to get there to learn more about famous African-Americans,” she said.

The students are scheduled to return to New Iberia on Saturday.