Brooks' World Travels

WELCOME TO BROOKS’ WORLD TRAVELS

Brooks’ World Travels is a program begun by Marshfield High School in memory of Brooks Thomsen Singer. It is now a program under a foundation called The Mohonk Educational and Neuropsychological Foundation, Inc. (www.mohonkeducation.org). As such, it is a 501c3 tax exempt non-profit organization.

You may have seen the plaque placed up at the entrance to Marshfield High School . It is in memory of Brooks Thomsen Singer, a sophomore at Marshfield High School who died on August 24, 2003.

This plaque memorializes Brooks, describes him, and describes the program set up in conjunction with Marshfield High School in 2004 called Brooks’ World Travels.

Brooks touched the lives of everyone he knew. Soon after his death a park was named after him (Brooks’ Park, Marshfield Hills), and a memorial stone was placed at the new skate boarding park in Marshfield. In addition, the Brooks Thomsen Singer Performance Center was dedicated at the Our World Children’s Discovery Museum in Cohasset. All of these dedications reflected the impact that this young man had on so many people from all walks of life.

Below is a youtube called “Where’s Matt?” It has been viewed by about 40,000,000 because it seems to touch many people all over the world.  It’s funny. It’s touching. Please watch it.  Even though “Matt” is not Brooks, it reflects the essence of Brooks and the way he treated and believed in other people, other kids including those in his own school whatever their backgrounds, interests, looks, abilities or beliefs.  This Youtube seems to have captured the meaning of those words and the mission of Brooks:  “We are all so much more the same than different.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfKdbWwruY

Annual International Trips

Up to 25 students have the opportunity to adventure to a different culture and experience others, especially their peers, just as Brooks had done his entire life. Brooks learned how small the world really is and how much more all of us are the same, rather than different. Everyone who got to know Brooks learned that he lived his life that way. Brooks showed others that no matter what a person’s position in life was, no matter what their race, culture, background, abilities, likes or dislikes were, he respected them and could become a genuine friend. Brooks’ World Travels was created with that in mind. It also was created to enable students to feel more familiar and comfortable with people from other backgrounds and cultures as they become adults and go off into their own careers.

In addition to visiting famous cultural sights, part of the experience will be to meet peers from other cultures and contribute something to their school or program. In 2006, the Marshfield students visited Villiers High School in London and spent time with students from England, India, Pakistan and several other countries. The students also purchased over $500 worth of sports equipment for their high school.

In order for an overseas trip to occur it is necessary that one or more teachers from any high school agree to take part and travel with the students. Funds that have been raised have also been used for college scholarships, exchange programs, trips by individual students and school supplies to Haiti and the Philippines. We are looking forward to our next trip overseas.  If you are interested or have any questions you can contact us via email mohonkct@aol.com or call 617-962-1193.

For each trip, teachers and the Brooks’ World Travels Board decide upon the country and destination of Brooks’ World Travels with input from the students and parents.

Fundraising

In order to minimize or possibly eliminate costs, there is one regularly scheduled fundraising activity that takes place every year.  The annual Christmas Tree Fund Raiser takes place in front of Roche Brothers Supermarket in Marshfield.   All of the students who are selected for the Brooks’ World Travel program and their parents, if possible, are expected to take part in at least one of the fundraising activities. (Click here for more information on our fundraising opportunities)

Application

In order for an overseas trip to occur it is necessary that one or more teachers from the high school agree to take part and travel with the students.  Once this occurs, we will establish the application process.