Community the Pura Vida Way
On April 3, 2026, 25 sixth through eighth-grade students departed for Costa Rica, excited for a week of cultural immersion, service, and discovery. “Pura vida,” a Costa Rican phrase that celebrates gratitude, joy, and community, quickly became the perfect lens for the trip. Scholars had been preparing for months, meeting after school each week to learn about Costa Rica and practice their Spanish.
This opportunity was made possible through the collective efforts of our school community. In October, students and chaperones helped host LION’s Fall Social, building awareness of the World Scholars Program and raising over $33,000 toward the cost of the experience. For those selected, being a World Scholar is a point of pride and a frequent topic of conversation with friends, family, and visitors. Students understand this is a rare opportunity for middle schoolers, and they approached it with gratitude and purpose.
In Costa Rica, scholars engaged in a meaningful blend of service learning, cultural immersion, and environmental education through our partnership with Global Works. The experience connected directly to our LION pillars, especially community, social justice, and curiosity, and gave students hands-on ways to learn beyond the classroom.
As part of their community-based work, students completed a beautification project by painting a local community center and helping build a sidewalk to improve accessibility. Eighth grader Kylee shared, “My favorite part was working on the mural. Creating the mural as a beautification project for the center meant a lot to me. We were able to leave our mark and do something nice for the community.” Scholars also supported wildlife rehabilitation efforts at Proyecto Asis, creating enrichment tools for animals as part of their care and preparation for release back into the wild.
Beyond service, the week offered memorable experiences that deepened students’ understanding of sustainability and global responsibility. They stayed on a local farm, learned about sustainable agriculture, milked cows, and participated in the cheese-making process, gaining a clearer sense of where food comes from and why environmentally conscious farming matters. Students also stepped outside their comfort zones through activities like ziplining, building confidence, courage, and trust.
Chaperones were especially moved by the maturity students demonstrated throughout the trip. Lead chaperones Vida Guerrero and Whitney Helton wrote, “What stood out most was the growth in our students. They showed responsibility, empathy, and leadership throughout the trip. Whether they were engaging in service, trying something new like ziplining, or reflecting on their experiences, they truly embodied our school’s values.” Students journaled daily, creating space to reflect on how each experience shaped their perspective. Eighth-grader Brandon shared, “This trip changed how I see helping people. It’s not just about giving; it’s about working together and learning from others. I feel like I made a real impact, and it also made me think about how I can help in my own community.”
This experience in Costa Rica was not just about travel; it was about transformation. Students returned with a deeper sense of purpose, a stronger connection to the world around them, and a clearer understanding of what it means to lead with character, bring people together, and carry the spirit of pura vida back to LION and Hunts Point.
