My road trip to St. Louis was about business. Because I am a high school counselor, I frequently travel with high school students on college tours. On this road trip, I accompanied newly admitted students to HSSU. Do you have school-aged children or friends that are educators who need chaperones?

Chaperones Needed

In March, I accompanied a group of newly admitted students to orientation at Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU), a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Missouri. It was an overnight trip. The organizer needed someone on the bus to and from St. Louis. However, the admissions office at HSSU could not cover the cost of accommodations. I used points plus cash as a member of the World of Hyatt to book a room at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch.

Are you Ready to Take a Road Trip to St. Louis? 

I told Lynnette to grab her luggage. We are going on a road trip to St. Louis. A few years ago, I needed chaperones for the CPS Spring Break College Tour to Ohio, and Lynn volunteered to help me out. She is familiar with the duties and responsibilities of being a chaperone. Even though we did not know the students on the bus assigned to us, we purchased snacks, fruit, juice, and water for the trip. We know all students will not have money to buy food when the driver stops. After we dropped off the students, Lynn and I were free until the next day. 

Hyatt Regency and Pappy’s Smokehouse

We took an Uber to the Hyatt. It was not until we took the Uber to Pappy’s Smokehouse that we realized the restaurant was near HSSU. There was a short wait, but the food was good. You should try Pappy’s at least once. The ribs are dry-rubbed and smoked. According to BBQ Smarts, Pappy’s ranks #2 for the Top 10 Best Barbecue Joints in St. Louis. After lunch, we hung out with two of my former students (Girls Trip). They showed us their dorm and took us on a campus tour. Because we both have done the Arch and Sweetie Pie’s, we opted for dessert at Ruth’s Chris Steak House located inside the hotel. I never eat dinner at Ruth’s Chris, but I will sit at the bar as long as I can munch on the handmade bar chips. If you have not tried them, you are missing out. 

My Road Trip to St. Louis 

We ate breakfast at Starbucks in the hotel and then headed to campus. Danny and Parris were official tour guides. They were also responsible for housing a few students who spent the night in their dorm. When we were on our Girls Trip in Atlanta, I promised Danny and Parris a copy of Jaded. I presented the autographed copies to Danny and Parris before the students loaded the bus. You can pick up your copy on Amazon by clicking on the link below. I am biased; I enjoyed the book. You can read the reviews. Our trip to St. Louis was an easy getaway, and I helped one of my favorite admissions representatives, Leslie. 

To Chaperone or Not

I received the list of students on my bus in advance and made calls to my counseling colleagues and coaches. Of course, I asked about student behavior, but I also wanted to know who was genuinely interested in attending HSSU. As I checked students in, I let them know I was a friend of their counselor or coach. I also sent every student an email to introduce myself. You may not have the advantage of talking directly to a counselor or coach, but I advise you to ask questions before you consider taking on this task. On the way back to Chicago, students were talkative, and almost everyone thanked us as they exited the bus. Parents/guardians were in the parking lot waiting on their children to arrive. Because we have done this before, Lynn and I told students to call their parents/guardians when we were an hour away from Chicago.