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Author	Topic: Young woman missing in Aruba
gmarine TUG Member Posts: 1192 From: long island,ny Village at St James Club,Antigua Renaissance Aruba Westgate VV, Registered: Mar 2002	posted 06-03-2005 16:55 I saw this on the news tonight. Eighteen year old girl visiting Aruba was last seen with three local men leaving a nightclub. She has been missing since Monday. Lets hope for a happy ending. http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5049794,00.html IP: Logged
anne1125 TUG Member Posts: 1076 From: Cherry Hill, NJ, USA Registered: Feb 2003	posted 06-04-2005 14:42 I'm saying a prayer for her safe return. ------------------ anne IP: Logged
bhood TUG Member Posts: 571 From: Florida Registered: Jan 2001	posted 06-04-2005 18:28 When I saw this on the news, the first thing that came to mind, was "where were the adult chaperones?" Secondly, why would she be leaving with 3 men? What happened to a graduation party in the high school gym? Boy, things sure have changed. I know my daughters think at times, that I am an old fuddy duddy, but I constantly talk to them about personal safety. I just hope that they will remember it when necessary. My thoughts and prayers will be with her and the family. IP: Logged
dbmMayer TUG Member Posts: 2353 From: Northern CA Owner: Westin Ka'anapali & Sheraton Desert Oasis Registered: Jul 2003	posted 06-04-2005 18:34 quote: Originally posted by bhood: When I saw this on the news, the first thing that came to mind, was "where were the adult chaperones?" 18 year olds are legal adults and are legally responsible for themselves. Now, do they have the maturity and judgment to be responsible for themselves in a bar in a strange country? - probably not. This story reminds me of the 18 year old cheerleader who fell to her death (naked) off the balcony of two men's room on Maui last spring on a "chaperoned" trip. I cannot imagine why parents continue to finance these trips...I know I wouldn't! ------------------ Denise IP: Logged
DianeH TUG Member Posts: 1925 From: BC Canada Registered: Jan 2001	posted 06-04-2005 19:11 A few years ago we mistakenly went to Mazatlan during March and were introduced to spring break partying. It actally wasn't too bad except for the early dinner we two families took our then 14 year old sons too. We were absolutely shocked at what was going on. There were drunken 'kids' who were very drunk, dancing on the tables etc. We asked one waiter if they had chaperones. The answer was a laughing NO. These children were not college age either. Scary. Diane ------------------ 'Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.' Hebrews 13:2 IP: Logged
Gramma4 TUG Member Posts: 379 From: Minneapolis,MN; Registered: Nov 2001	posted 06-04-2005 19:24 It does make you wonder why the chaperones didn't atleast check to make sure all the kids were back for the night.....I agree, you do wonder why parents continue to finance trips like these where drinking and partying are considered "the norm". The majority of 18 year olds do not have the wisdom to make good judgments about many things even though THEY think they do! My daughter went to Hawaii with her high school band to play but the chaperones were VERY much aware of what was going on...much to my daughter and her friends dismay! They had a blast but were checked on frequently. Of course, that was in '91 and I suppose things could be very different now. My heart aches for her parents and friends and family. I pray she turns up safe somehow. IP: Logged
Kay H TUG Member Posts: 1219 From: Mayslanding,NJ USA owner 1/4 share Killington Grand Registered: Dec 2000	posted 06-04-2005 19:38 I worked in a high school for 30 yrs and every so often a few students from the graduating class would plan an end of yr trip for themselves and their friends. The trips were not sanctioned by nor did the school or board of education have anything to do with the trip but the graduated called it a graduation trip. No adult chaperones went and you would be surprised how many under age students went. Parents never checked with school authorities to see if it was school sponsored. The last one I remember was to Cancun. Some parents did know that there were no chaperones but it didn't seem to make any difference. By the same token, some parents serve their prom going children cocktails at their home before the students leave for the prom. They say that since they will be in a limo and not driving, it's ok. ------------------ Kay H IP: Logged
ricoba TUG Member Posts: 922 From: Rancho Dominguez, CA Registered: Jan 2003	posted 06-04-2005 19:41 quote: Originally posted by dbmMayer: I cannot imagine why parents continue to finance these trips...I know I wouldn't! Denise, I agree whole heartedly with you....but it's still very sad for the parents. I am sure that if things turn for the worst, they are going to live for years with regret and guilt. Rick IP: Logged
marion10 TUG Member Posts: 1174 From: River Forest, IL and Dikhololo and Seapointer, SA Registered: Dec 2000	posted 06-04-2005 20:10 Very sad- I chaperoned a group of high schoolers (mostly juniors and seniors from my church)to Washington DC this year and I was pretty upset at the attitude I got from some of them. And I have a 16 year old daughter, so I thought I was used to that age group. We had bed check at midnight and I found one young man missing and was getting ready to call the police when he strolled back into the hotel at 12:30 am saying he had decided to take a walk? At midnight? alone?. At this age group, they often think they are invincible. ------------------ Marion [This message has been edited by marion10 (edited 06-04-2005).] IP: Logged
grest TUG Member Posts: 1674 From: Ocala, FL;, Mt. Amanzi, Place on the Bay, Seapointer, Strand Pavilion Registered: Dec 2000	posted 06-05-2005 05:33 This is tragic, and I also wonder about the chaperones. Several years ago we were on a cruise, didn't know ahead of time but there happened to be a senior class trip going on as well...on a Holland America ship, strange choice. Anyway, the kids took over the ship, had a ball, and the chaperones were having a ball too, some of them visibly inebriated. Holland America staff called them to task, and warned that if things didn't change immediately they would all be asked to get off the ship at the next port....things changed, much to the chagrin of many on the class trip, but happily for the rest of us! I pray that the young lady is found safe and sound, and that we will learn from this. Am wondering if chaperones were not so vigilant because she is 18 years old... Connie IP: Logged
Patri TUG Member Posts: 1209 From: PA Registered: Feb 2003	posted 06-05-2005 06:18 The outcome doesn't look good. Has it actually been stated that this is a school sanctioned trip? I really doubt it. Just a bunch of friends who went to Aruba to celebrate graduation. ------------------ Patri Mother of the groom on June 11 Visit my website IP: Logged
Kay H TUG Member Posts: 1219 From: Mayslanding,NJ USA owner 1/4 share Killington Grand Registered: Dec 2000	posted 06-05-2005 06:33 Just heard they made 2 arrests, but neither is believed to be someone she left the club with. It has been stated that they are security guards from a nearby hotel. I hope the rest is good news. ------------------ Kay H IP: Logged
Gramma4 TUG Member Posts: 379 From: Minneapolis,MN; Registered: Nov 2001	posted 06-05-2005 06:39 I just read this morning that there were 124 students and several chaperones ( sounds more like a school function with that many kids ).........Now they are questioning 2 security guards from a nearby hotel that is being renovated..... IP: Logged
mischelle TUG Member Posts: 372 From: NY - Brooklyn; Own 3BR @ Star Island Resort, 3BR@EVR, Embassy Vacation Resort @ Grand Beach Registered: Sep 2004	posted 06-05-2005 08:12 Why is there an assumption that parents fund these trips? Most 18 yr olds that I know fund their own vacations. Having Mommy and Daddy fund it gives them a better chance of not going. They are adults technically at 18, so they do not need to be chaperoned. Also, believe it or not, an 18 yr old is not too different from a 21 yr old. It is all about the individual's maturity level and one's ability to handle one's self in certain situations. Basic common sense is something that a lot of people lack. Anyway, I pray for this young womans safe return. I am traveling to Cancun with a group of friends and I tried to get them all to register themselves just in case. There isn't anything more that I can do. We are all adults and they need to take responsibility for their safety. ------------------ [img]http://playadelcarmeninfo.com/countdown1118462400b2.png[/img] IP: Logged
gw1400 TUG Member Posts: 996 From: CT Registered: Oct 2002	posted 06-05-2005 09:15 One report said there were 40 chaperons for 124 seniors. That's alot of chaperons. ------------------ Support our service men and women: Link [This message has been edited by gw1400 (edited 06-05-2005).] IP: Logged
Sandy Lovell TUG Member Posts: 1577 From: Dallas, TX, VIP Gold Fairfield Points(4 units), HGVC Elite (Bay Club, Seaworld), Tradewinds Cruise Club + 4 others Registered: Dec 2000	posted 06-05-2005 10:47 My supervisor at work is a high school classmate of this missing girl's mother. He is very upset as he has daughters near this missing girls age. Aruba is a pretty low crime island. Most violet crimes are limited to natives against natives only and are domestic violence or drug related. Crimes never impacted tourist in the past. This could be very bad for the island's tourism if it turns out to be locals. IP: Logged
dbmMayer TUG Member Posts: 2353 From: Northern CA Owner: Westin Ka'anapali & Sheraton Desert Oasis Registered: Jul 2003	posted 06-05-2005 11:57 quote: Originally posted by Sandy Lovell: Aruba is a pretty low crime island. Most violet crimes are limited to natives against natives only and are domestic violence or drug related. Crimes never impacted tourist in the past. This could be very bad for the island's tourism if it turns out to be locals. She was last seen leaving a bar with three local men. I can't think of anywhere in the world where it would be safe for an 18 yr. old girl to leave a bar with 3 strange men - this could have happened anywhere. ------------------ Denise IP: Logged
dbmMayer TUG Member Posts: 2353 From: Northern CA Owner: Westin Ka'anapali & Sheraton Desert Oasis Registered: Jul 2003	posted 06-05-2005 11:58 quote: Originally posted by mischelle: I am traveling to Cancun with a group of friends and I tried to get them all to register themselves just in case. What do you mean by this? Thanks, ------------------ Denise IP: Logged
Dani Moderator TUG Volunteer Posts: 5154 From: New York Registered: Dec 2000	posted 06-05-2005 15:03 quote: Originally posted by dbmMayer: She was last seen leaving a bar with three local men. I can't think of anywhere in the world where it would be safe for an 18 yr. old girl to leave a bar with 3 strange men - this could have happened anywhere. Isn't that the truth? This is where good friends come in handy. They will prevent you from doing some really, horrible and stupid things. This is such a shame. ------------------ Danielle IP: Logged
dbmMayer TUG Member Posts: 2353 From: Northern CA Owner: Westin Ka'anapali & Sheraton Desert Oasis Registered: Jul 2003	posted 06-05-2005 16:29 Here's a link to the report: www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/06/05/missing.teen/index.html ------------------ Denise IP: Logged
Patri TUG Member Posts: 1209 From: PA Registered: Feb 2003	posted 06-05-2005 19:06 If there were only parent chaperones (as per the link), then this is not truly a school sanctioned trip. At least in my town, teachers are always the chaperones. They don't take parents as parents tend to have less authority. Of course, since this was after graduation, teachers wouldn't have much authority either. Nothing to hold over kids' heads, like suspension, sending home early, etc. What reason would a school have to be involved with students after they are no longer students? I can't imagine any sane district sponsoring such a trip. ------------------ Patri Mother of the groom on June 11 Visit my website IP: Logged
mischelle TUG Member Posts: 372 From: NY - Brooklyn; Own 3BR @ Star Island Resort, 3BR@EVR, Embassy Vacation Resort @ Grand Beach Registered: Sep 2004	posted 06-05-2005 19:57 quote: Originally posted by dbmMayer: What do you mean by this? Thanks, Sorry. I meant that I made sure that they all obtained passports(For those who didn't have one prior) and told them to register their passports with the U.S Department of State in case of an emergency . Chelle ------------------ [img]http://playadelcarmeninfo.com/countdown1118462400b2.png[/img] IP: Logged
dbmMayer TUG Member Posts: 2353 From: Northern CA Owner: Westin Ka'anapali & Sheraton Desert Oasis Registered: Jul 2003	posted 06-05-2005 21:39 quote: Originally posted by mischelle: Sorry. I meant that I made sure that they all obtained passports(For those who didn't have one prior) and told them to register their passports with the U.S Department of State in case of an emergency . Chelle No apology necessary - we plan to make some trips out of the country in the not to far distant future and I am just trying to collect info. How do you go about registering your passport? ------------------ Denise IP: Logged

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