Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
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Nishi Gupta Reporting Students of theater say there's nothing quite like watching Broadway shows in New York City. A local group had been planning to do just that, for more than a year.
But yesterday, the company hired to plan their trip told them it was going bankrupt. Their money's gone, and if they wanted to salvage the visit, they were on their own.
Trip advisors say they got calls from the Salt Lake based company on Friday, just before five o'clock. They felt it was no coincidence. Since it was the end of the business day, it would be hard to do anything.
Today, the student group met to discuss how to save their trip.
Tamara Adams: "The itinerary. A really classic trip. Just so fun."
What was supposed to be the ultimate New York experience for more than eighty people is becoming the ultimate nightmare.
Danielle Taylor: "We're supposed to leave in three days."
Clin Eaton: "We have no hotel, no day trips, no nothing."
A crowded room became the drawing board for students, parents and advisors from Riverton and West Jordan High Schools, and Albion Middle School.
They say they paid Learning on Location almost 150-thousand dollars for airfare, hotel, six Broadway shows, a subway pass, and entrance to famous sightseeing spots, among others.
What they got: Airline tickets for most people, and perhaps tickets for five Broadway shows.
Adam Cortes: "Do you have anything to tell us that we can tell these people?"
We watched as drama student Andrew Cortes spent about an hour on the phone trying to find hotel accomodations.
Adam Cortes: "They're holding 13 rooms for the Adams group. They're just holding it, we haven't paid for it."
The cost: $100 per person, per night for a six-night stay. The kids wanted a bite of the Big Apple, but now they might not get that taste.
Danielle Taylor worked hard to pay for some of the trip. Her parents pitched in the rest as a graduation gift.
Danielle Taylor: "I trusted these people with almost two thousand dollars. Now all of a sudden I don't know where my money is."
Erica Halvorsen: "I get 20 dollars a week for lunch. I've been saving that instead. It was going to New York. I've been saving up since my sophomore year."
Parents still want to see their kids go.
Robyn Harris/parent: "Most likely we'll pay the extra money and have a trip."
Reporter: "What are you going to make him do?"
Robyn Harris: "Lots of yardwork, painting door knobs."
Reporter (to student Joshua Harris): Are you looking forward to all that extra yardwork?"
Joshua Harris/ Student: "No, but I'll do it."
Tamara Adams/ Student Trip Leader: "Stuned. I have never experienced this amount of dishonesty in my life."
To get some answers, we came to the business address for Learning on Location. But whenwe got to the building, the doors were locked.
This advisor says he spoke with the Learning on Location owner yesterday. He was told getting a hotel would be possible and he'd hear back by this morning. But today, no response, so he tried calling the owner.
Clin Eaton/ Student Trip Leader: "At minimum 25 times to his office number and home number. It goes right to voice mail."
A decision on whether these people go or not will be made Monday. They are considering filing a lawsuit.
Today, I spoke with a former Learning on Location employee. He says a group from Wasatch Jr. High was also scheduled to leave this week.
