The Neshaminy High School (NHS) Environmental Action Club, along with students in the Academic Enrichment (AE) program and their friends, would once take a trip to Longwood Gardens each December to admire the extravagant greenery adorned with Christmas decorations.

However, this school year, the field trip is not taking place, and many students are unaware of the reasoning behind it.

Environmental Action Club advisor and science teacher Jim Murray, who would plan and accompany the students to Longwood Gardens each year, is on sabbatical leave for the 2025-2026 school year.

Murray’s temporary absence has left many students in disarray, not only because of his absence as a teacher, but also because of the cancellation of the Longwood Gardens trip.

“The bus rides were always fun,” club member and student of Murray’s, senior Molly Pritchard, voiced. “The sights were really pretty. It was just fun and relaxing.”

Many students felt as if this trip was a gratifying way to spend time with classmates outside of school.

“I was always trying to get my friends to come with us because he would open it up to other people who weren’t in the club or in his class,” Pritchard shared.  “It’s always just more fun with more people.”

Moreover, students have expressed more disappointment with Murray’s absence compared to the trips. Murray left a positive impact on each student he interacted with, inspiring them through both their schoolwork and their virtues.

“Mr. Murray is one of the best teachers I’ve ever had,” senior Erika James expressed. “He made me love science even more than I already did, and I learn[ed] to love chemistry, too. He’s such an interesting person and always made class fun. I’m sure all the AE kids have stories about him from that class.” 

Murray kept each class amusing by implementing “old murrish sayings”, little inspirational or uplifting sayings created by Murray himself. 

“[H]e would put [‘murrish sayings’] on the top of our tests, and we started keeping track of all of them and interpreting their meanings,” Pritchard mentioned.

These ‘murrish sayings’ were memorable for each of Murray’s students, granting them small joys through their workloads.

“They would be like, ‘It’s better to study than poke your eye out with a stick,’” explained James. “He was a really fun guy.”

Members of Murray’s AE class have conveyed much appreciation for the Longwood Gardens trip, and are taking matters into their own hands to see it for themselves this December. 

“It’s one of my favorite memories,” expressed James. “We all had lots of fun. I’m not sure if a big trip will actually happen, but I’m hoping it will work out.”