‘Mystery Adventure’

The Vysehrad Independent School District gave some of their students a special surprise on Thursday, Feb. 29.

Students were able to see a live PHI Air Evac helicopter and a Lavaca County EMS ambulance.

“We had PHI out of Columbus with two female medical individuals,” Vysehrad Superintendent Robin Trojcak said. “They also had a male pilot, and they came in (last week) and flew in from Columbus. It was very amazing and the kids were screaming and super stoked because they could hear it coming, but didn’t know what it was.”

They also had two first responder vehicles along with the helicopter.

“A deputy from the Lavaca County Sheriff Department, Jimmie Heiman, came and brought his truck,” Trojcak said. “The kids were able to look through his truck, and touch handcuffs and look through his monitor. They let the kids touch things and go through things and ask questions. There was a ten-minute tour and guide of what what their special components were, including the helicopter and it was just fascinating. We made memories.”

The kids were also able to talk about potential careers in the EMT and police fields.

“The students and the officers were so engaged,” Trojcak said. “The kid’s were screaming when the helicopters came in and left. The EMT’s were also very engaging and explained things well for the students. Everybody did a great job. One teacher told me that we just made a memory that the students will never forget. Some of these students may never be able to get that close to a helicopter again.”

This trip was a part of a special incentive the school district is doing for the students who exhibit good behavior. About 70 out of around 88 students were able to take part in this.

“We call this a ‘mystery adventure’,” Trojcak said. “We have done one for each six weeks. Kid’s have to meet four criteria for this. They have to have no more than one tardy for six weeks, no discipline office referrals, they have to have a 70 or higher in all of their subjects, and no more than one unexcused absence. If they meet these criteria, then they can go on this ‘mystery adventure.’ Sometimes, for these, there’s a small fee that comes from the district, which is perfectly fine.”

This isn’t the first time the school district had a ‘mystery adventure.’

“The very first one we did was during Halloween,” Trojcak said. “The very first one we did was a movie and nachos. The kids brought their pillows and blankets and watched a movie in the cafeteria. That didn’t cost that much money. We also did a field day with games like latter ball, disc golf and a bean bag toss. At the end of that, we treated the students to ice cream sundaes.”

Vysehrad aims to continue these special trips and incentives for the remainder of the school year.

“We have another special thing set up for (this) week,” Trojcak said. “The next treat for the students will be a fun thing for the students.”