On April 8, 2024, the moon passed between the earth and the sun in the Great American Eclipse. Solar eclipses happen about every three years, but the April 8 event was the last total solar eclipse that can be witnessed in the United States up until the next one in 2044. The next time New York will experience a total solar eclipse is even later, in 2079. The 2024 eclipse offered the longest stretch of totality in the United States since 1806.
Yorktown High School students experienced this once in a lifetime celestial event in various locations across New York. A group of 100 YHS students headed to Syracuse to get a glimpse of totality. Led by Mr. Agosta and Mr. Gollisz, the idea for the trip originated from a curious student: freshman Nick Rizzuti.
“I wanted everyone to experience an eclipse and I have never seen one,” said Rizzuti, who walked into Mr. DeGennaro’s office to propose his idea to Mr. Agosta and Mr. Gollisz. As an earth science teacher and fanatic, Mr. Agosta was already planning to see the total eclipse.
“Mr. Salmore, Mr. Moore, and I have been thinking about doing an eclipse trip for 7 years. As we got closer and closer we thought it would be a good idea to bring students on the trip as well. Nick Rizzuti was able to ask Mr. DeGennaro and it exploded from there,” said Mr. Agosta.
Organizing the trip was not easy, especially since they had to follow nature’s schedule.
“We had a short window to get it together but it was a great success,” said Mr. Agosta.
Traveling to Oneida Shores County Park, the students spent 4 hours on the road in hopes of seeing the total eclipse.
“The ride up wasn’t the most pleasant. I came prepared with my laptop and charger in hand, but regardless, sitting in the same position for 4 hours was somewhat uncomfortable,” said senior Eric Song.
On top of the long ride, a cloudy forecast threatened to ruin the trip.
“I shared the concern of others that the day may have been for nothing,” said Song.
Once they arrived at the park, the students had an hour to explore before totality. However, as the time drew closer, the clouds did as well, obscuring the view of the sun.
“The sky had blankets of clouds, and we could only catch glimpses of the eclipse for less than a few minutes at a time. We all wondered if it was for nothing. As totality neared, that was on everyone’s mind,” said Song.
Despite cloudy weather and traffic, the spectacle was unlike any other.
“The sky grew darker and darker. Birds freaked out, cawwing and soaring above our congregation, perhaps to find shelter from the impending apocalypse. And then, totality hit. The sky was as dark as dusk, a 360 degree sunset surrounding the area,” said Song.
Although the eclipse was difficult to make out at times, most saw the experience as a success.
“I had some nerves going in that it would be cloudy, but it turned out great. It was fun and exciting. I think everyone that witnessed it appreciated it,” said Mr. Agosta.
“It was incredible and this was a success. We got to see the eclipse even though it was cloudy,” echoed Rizzuti.
“I was speechless. I had never seen anything quite like it before, and in that moment, I knew that despite the bus ride, the boredom, the traffic, it had all been worth it,” said Song.
Other students agreed.
“The bus ride was inconvenient but in the end the spectacle was worth it,” echoed junior Stavros Shafik.
The curiosity of some students, however, was unsated as they marveled at the brevity of the eclipse. “We waited so long and it was gone in an instant,” said one student.
Even so, the trip gave many students an unforgettable experience.
“It was the best thing I’ve ever seen,” said Rizzuti.
Back in Yorktown Heights, Yorktown High School students had a reason for excitement despite only getting to see a partial eclipse. The students were greeted with special eclipse glasses to start off the day, stirring up excitement for what was to come.
Meanwhile, juniors Henry and Annabelle Renken witnessed a sublime view in the Adirondacks. They spent several nights in Lake Placid, beating the traffic and the clouds.
“The sky became really dark, and it looked like dusk. The skies were clear and the eclipse looked very clear,” said Henry. From Yorktown Heights to Lake Placid to Syracuse, Yorktown students witnessed a one-of-a-kind astronomical event on April 8.
“It was a ‘total’ success,” said Mr. Agosta.
