"Anything is possible:" Group of Bradley Tech High School students are headed to Europe

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A group of Milwaukee high school students thought they were headed to Europe for 10 days. Then, at the last minute, they lost their funding. But with great disappointment, there can be a great life lesson.

All year long, Bradley Tech High School worked to raise money to send students on an international trip to Ireland, Wales, England and France. Along the way, an anonymous donor promised to donate $1,400 per student. As the due date came closer, the promise vanished.

"Days before they said 'it's just not going to work out,'" Bradley Tech English teacher Elizabeth Fincher said.

With their hopes so high and with the vision nearly shattered, the students created a Go Fund Me page -- pushing friends and family to donate.

"Through a whole bunch of wishing and prayers we just...got our hustle going," Bradley Tech student Christian Wilson said.

Asking people for money, they say, was the hardest part.

"Those people have been the most help because they were the ones that gave me the majority of the money," Bradley Tech student Josiah Dawson said.

And staying positive was tough -- until now. Donations from the Go Fund Me page brought in about $11,000 in 20 days. Combined with the money the students raised, there's a grand total of $16,000.

"I think I speak for everyone when I say it has not only changed financially how we stand, but how we see Milwaukee as a community," Fincher said.

The group of students will leave Milwaukee on April 3rd and fly to Ireland first.

At this time, the Bradley Tech students are still accepting donations on their Go Fund Me page. The money would go towards paying for student lunches during the trip, which right now only includes their breakfast and dinner.

Below are the educational objectives for this trip: 

1. To promote international understanding and a respect for a variety of cultures.

2. To clarify and deepen our understanding of the American identity and its values and beliefs through intercultural experience.

3. To expand our knowledge about culture and history and the basis for different values and beliefs.

4. To develop the interpersonal skills necessary to navigate a new environment with confidence, maturity and flexibility.

5. To use writing as a way of self-reflection and analyzing one's experiences. (Students have been writing journals for the past month and will continue to do so pre, mid, and post trip.)