Photo Caption: Left to Right: Lucas Winbolt (Atascosa County), Elijah Gerard (Bexar County), Sophia Gutierrez (Medina County) Skye Richey – teacher (Uvalde County) Brooks Ficke (Medina County) Aaron Richey (Uvalde County)
A dedicated group of homeschooled high school students from Medina, Uvalde, Atascosa, and Bexar counties are working hard to make a big dream come true. These 11th-graders from the Classical Conversations Challenge III program will host a series of fundraisers to help cover the cost of an upcoming educational trip to England this spring.
For the past two years, the class has immersed themselves in British literature, European art, Shakespearean plays, and historical studies. They’ve memorized thirty lines from five different Shakespeare plays, written essays connecting faith and culture, and held countless class discussions—all pointing toward the moment when they can finally walk the same cobblestone streets they’ve studied.
From Yard Work to Community Service
The students have already been out in the community across South Texas, offering to do yard work, clean church grounds, and assist with local projects—all for donations. Their work ethic has earned praise from residents who admire their initiative, politeness, and willingness to serve.
The town of Utopia has been especially gracious, welcoming the students to complete projects for Living Waters Church, the Utopia Food Bank, several local residents, and even the beautification areas at the town’s entrance. Their generosity has not only provided valuable fundraising opportunities but also strengthened the students’ appreciation for community support and service.
Upcoming Drawing and Market Day Fundraisers
Next on their fundraising list is a ticket drawing featuring a lineup of exciting prizes, including:
A TurtleBox speaker, generously donated by Mummee’s
Two tickets to Cirque Musica – Holiday Wonderland at the Tobin Center
A box of Wagyu beef, assorted premium cuts
The drawing will take place on December 6, and details on ticket prices will be announced soon.
In addition to the drawing, the students will have booths set up at several local market days, including:
Sabinal Market Day – October 25
Utopia Market Days – November 1
Vintage in Verdi – December 5–6
Community members and business owners can get involved in several ways:
Donate a prize to be added to the raffle ticket,
Contribute a lump-sum donation toward the group’s travel expenses, or
Hire the students for community or yard work projects.
Every contribution helps these South Texas students continue learning, serving, and representing their communities with excellence as they prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime educational experience.
About Classical Conversations
Classical Conversations is a homeschool program that uses the classical model of education—teaching students how to think, not just what to think. Through rigorous academics, Socratic discussion, and a biblical worldview, students learn to connect knowledge across subjects and apply it to real life.
Contact Information
For more information, to schedule work, or to make a donation:
Brandi Gutierrez: 210-535-2545 | b_gutierrez80@yahoo.com
Skye Richey: 830-890-8854 | skyehomeschool2025@gmail.com
