Recently 11th and 12th grade Whitesboro GEAR UP students toured Hochatown Animal Rescue and Petting Zoo (HRC). During their visit, students were led through buildings that included interaction with the animals. Workers spoke to students about the various animals’ natural habitats and conservation efforts being used to preserve the species. Students were allowed to hold and feed different animals found at the rescue that included, including birds, rabbits, deer, ball pythons, goats, cats, foxes, opossums, skunks, camels, donkeys, groundhogs, a kangaroo, and cows. Students ended their day with lunch at Grateful Head Pizza Oven and Tap Room in Broken Bow.
The field trip was sponsored by Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP. Eastern received a $17 million federal GEAR UP grant in 2017, and will serve more than 3,000 students in 39 area schools for seven years.
