They're studying the New York Stock Exchange, so why not go and see the real deal?

That was the logic behind the Wall High School senior class taking a trip to the Big Apple this spring, according to Wall finance teacher Tom Calhoun.

"It kind of started as a joke," he said. "We're in the middle of an investment finance unit and we were looking up stocks … and I said 'wouldn't it be great to cap this off with trip to New York Stock Exchange?'"

The students didn't see why it couldn't be done, he said.

"They said, 'let's just raise the funds; we're willing to try if you are,'" Calhoun said.

Emily Helms, Wall High School class president, said she was onboard right away.

"It's pretty exciting, I don't think we would have ever thought about it if Mr. Calhoun wouldn't have put it in our heads," she said. "We just decided to take a chance and go for it, hopefully we make it."

He agreed to help the students, and the trip is planned for the second week in April.

The best part, he said, is their goal is to raise enough money for every student of the 29-member class to go.

"When I graduated, my class went to Washington, D.C. and I couldn't afford it," Calhoun said. "I told the kids that if they didn't want to go, it was one thing. But if they can't afford it, that's another deal."

The class needs to raise at least $25,000 for the trip and they have already made it to $5,000.

Helms said she's optimistic.

"I think we have a pretty good chance," she said, adding that the class has already done several fund-raisers including loading furniture for a hotel.

The class also had money saved in a class account and invested some of it through a broker. This past weekend, they hosted a winter festival.

"We're hoping to get more fundraising opportunities like the furniture (project)," she said, "so we can use muscles more than having to sell stuff."

A three-on-three basketball tournament in March, a Valentine's Day dinner and spring cleaning services are on the list for upcoming fundraising events, but it might take more than that, Calhoun said.

"(The students) are phenomenal," he said. "They're really ambitious … I'm hoping some people in the community will say 'wow, you guys have shown excitement to go' and step up."

The class has back-up plans if they aren't able to raise the money in time, he said, including cutting down the days of the trip or asking students to kick in their own funds.

"We are going to go one way or the other," Calhoun said.

During the trip, Calhoun said he's hoping the students will be able to see things they might not have the chance to see again.

The New York Stock Exchange, museums, Broadways shows, and Ground Zero are on the list, he said.

"The cultural situation is going to be unbelievable," he said. "There will be kids from Wall, South Dakota, that have never been out of state. It will be such a cultural shock, but such a learning experience.

Helms said she's been to Washington, D.C. before, but the trip to New York would be only her second time on a plane. She's already thinking of what she might get to see.

"(I'd like to) see everything, the statue of liberty and Wall Street - all the people yelling and screaming," she said.

"You see it on TV, but you don't know until you're actually there. I'd like to go see a Broadway show. That would be awesome."

Another great thing about the trip is that it's an attempt at resurrecting the old tradition of a senior class trip, Calhoun said, which for many schools such as Wall, has fallen by the way side.

"It's a good way to cap off four years of hard work and see the things you're going to run into in the real world," he said.

Seven adult chaperones plan to accompany the students, including a Pennington Co. Deputy Sheriff, Wall's principal Barbara Leiseth and several parents.

Calhoun said he's optimistic about raising the funds.

"They're a great bunch of seniors and have really stepped up to the occasion," he said.

Helms said the class members are ready to work for the money.

"We'd be happy to hear (fundraising) ideas," she said. "We'd like support any way possible."

Anyone interested in more information can call Wall High School at 279-2156.

Contact Kayla Gahagan at 394-8410 or kayla.gahagan@rapidcityjournal.com