Five Students Go To Antarctica
(CBS) NEW YORK October 20/05
Kerri Lyon

Maybe you've seen the movie March of the Penguins?

You've probably heard about it. In December, five high school juniors get to see the emperor penguins in person, they're going to the south pole.

"When we arrive on Antarctica we'll be there to witness the hatching of the eggs," says 16 year old Aryana Jacobs.

The students attend various Bronx Catholic schools and are part of an after-school college prep program at Bank Street College of Education. For the first time, Bank Street has partnered with a Canadian group called Students On Ice, which sends teens from around the world to Antarctica. For these students, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity.

"I've traveled as far as Florida, that's about it," says 16-year-old Ashley Robinson.

"People traveling outside of New York is a rarity in our communities, especially to go to Antarctica," adds 15-year-old Sarahn O'Huru.

Over two weeks, the teens will travel to Argentina, board a research vessel and sail south to the frozen continent where they'll spend at least five days.

"We're going to be whale watching, we're going to study the effects of the melting of the ice caps and global warming," says Jacobs.

But the chance to see penguins and glaciers and whales doesn't come cheap. These students have to raise $7,500 each before they can go.

"We're organizing a party," says 16 year old Lucas Alvarez. "We're also reaching out to Corporations and family members, our schools."

O'Huru says, "You can't be modest. you have to tell everyone what you're doing. and promote yourself."

Part of their sales pitch: Send them to the South Pole - Help them get into college.

"This will make us stand out in a pool of 100,000 people applying to colleges," notes 16-year-old Wendy de la Rosa.

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ARCTIC YOUTH STATEMENT Just released ...
“Declaration on Climate Change from youth of the Arctic”

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