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Art museums

Close Call at the Louvre: Students Witness Jewelry Heist

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Students from Trinity High School's Traveling Classroom had a harrowing experience on October 19 when they encountered an international jewel robbery at the Louvre Museum in Paris. The students, who were on a 230-240 hour trip, were in the Apollo Gallery when a group of thieves cut through a window and stole jewelry belonging to two queens and two empresses. Despite the chaos, the students remained calm and followed their chaperones' instructions. The incident did not spoil the trip, and the group continued with their plan, including Mass at Notre Dame, a visit to other notable sites, and a tour of Paris by boat.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Trinity High School's Traveling Classroom, led by Principal Emily Hernandez, took an international trip every two years, with students funding and planning their own trips.
  • The class had already visited England, Normandy, and parts of France prior to their visit to the Louvre, and had also traveled to Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Puerto Rico.
  • The students were in line at the museum at 9 a.m. and took pictures in front of the Mona Lisa by 9:15 a.m.
  • The group was prioritized, with adult chaperones leading the students back down the steps and pairing them up before locking them inside the museum.
  • Museum security, law enforcement, and military personnel responded quickly to the incident, but the students remained calm and followed instructions.
  • Despite the close call, the group decided to continue with their planned activities, including Mass at Notre Dame, a visit to other notable sites, and a tour of Paris by boat.
  • The incident lasted only an hour and a half, but the rest of the trip was "fabulous," according to Principal Hernandez.
  • The Trinity High School's Traveling Classroom plans to take more international tours in the future.

Statistics:

  • The students were in Paris for 230-240 hours.
  • The incident lasted only an hour and a half.
  • The group was composed of 23 people, including students and adult chaperones.
  • The museum had multiple security protocols in place, including security personnel, law enforcement, and military personnel.
  • The students raised funds and planned their own trip, with Principal Hernandez leading the effort.

Sources:

  • "Students' trip to Paris takes a dramatic turn" - by James Mayse, the Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, Ky.).
  • Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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