A group of Trinity High School students spent fall break exploring London, Normandy, and Paris — but their once-in-a-lifetime trip took an unexpected turn when they found themselves inside the Louvre during a robbery on Sunday morning.
Twenty students and three chaperones from the Whitesville school were touring the famed museum when, according to the Associated Press, three masked men broke in through a lift, smashed a window, and stole several crown jewels from the Apollo Gallery before fleeing on motorbikes.
Principal Emily Hernandez, who accompanied the group, said safety was their top priority throughout the trip, including during the Louvre situation.
“We were about to enter the Apollo Gallery when people started running toward us,” Hernandez said. “We immediately gathered everyone into our groups, counted our students, and followed all directions from museum security. We were never in danger, but we were locked inside for about an hour and 15 minutes while authorities secured the area. Our students were concerned, respectful, and did exactly what we asked of them.”
According to The Associated Press, three masked men used a lift to enter the museum early Sunday, smashing through a window and stealing several jewels from the gallery that houses France’s crown diamonds before fleeing on motorbikes. The heist took roughly seven minutes.
For Trinity’s group, the experience was surreal — and ultimately a reminder of how quickly plans can change, even on a meticulously organized trip.
“Thank God we weren’t in the gallery when it happened,” Hernandez said. “Once we were able to leave, we walked to Notre Dame for Mass, which was exactly what everyone needed. It calmed the group and brought the focus back to gratitude and perspective.”
The Traveling Classroom program has been a signature part of Trinity’s curriculum since 1999, offering students a global educational experience that blends history, faith, and culture. The school has made regular trips abroad for more than a decade under the leadership of DeeAnna Wathen, who teaches the class and organizes the trip.
Before Paris, the group spent several days in England and France visiting landmarks such as Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Palace of Versailles, and Mont Saint Michel. They crossed the English Channel by ferry and toured significant World War II sites, including Omaha Beach, the Normandy American Cemetery, and Pointe du Hoc.
Each day began and ended with group prayer and reflection. Students also prepared short video reports and will write essays about their experiences to present to sponsors and community members who helped make the trip possible.
“Our students represented Trinity with pride and maturity,” Hernandez said. “Everywhere we went, people commented on how polite and disciplined they were. We received countless compliments from tour guides and others. It’s something that made us extremely proud.”
While the Louvre robbery made international headlines, Hernandez said she hopes people will remember the greater purpose of the journey.
“This trip is about expanding students’ understanding of the world and deepening their faith,” she said. “Yes, what happened at the Louvre was frightening and unexpected, but it doesn’t define our experience. The memories, the learning, the sense of wonder — that’s what these students will carry with them forever.”
Read the Associated Press coverage of the Louvre robbery here.
