On Wednesday, Ms. Sarah Medved’s senior English elective “The Greatest City in the World: Reading and Writing New York” went down to the Lower East Side (“LES”) for a walking tour of the historic neighborhood. Tour guide Mr. Eric Ferrara of the Lower East Side History Project, whose family has lived on the LES for five generations, provided a true insider’s perspective on the neighborhood’s history and the diverse communities that have called it home over the centuries.

Beginning with the history of the area’s original settlement, he traced its transformation from a hub of New York’s upper class to a slum and a haven for immigrant communities. As he led the group through the Bowery, the Five Points neighborhood, Chinatown, Little Italy and the formerly Jewish enclaves, he shared historical photographs and pointed out significant landmarks, highlighting the area’s importance to the city, the country and even the world.

“While I have been on guided tours all around the world, from Argentina to Japan to Portugal, Mr. Ferrara’s tour of the Lower East Side was one of, if not the most interesting tour I’ve done,” said senior Andrew F. Leora B. added, “Mr. Ferrara was super knowledgeable about all the areas we walked to. He gave us a deep dive into the mafia and was able to answer all of our questions and even point out certain buildings they own.

After the tour, the class took the subway to the Upper East Side, where the trip ended with a memorable lunch at Saba’s Pizza—capped off by a surprise marriage proposal on the sidewalk! Ms. Medved, and the class, will never forget this day. Mazel tov, Ms. Medved!