Written by j-skills correspondents Janessa Peabody and Carter Straub

Over spring break, longtime Godwin Trigonometry teacher Tom Hoy ventured across the Atlantic to see his son, Godwin graduate Christopher Hoy, who is currently working with the United States Secret Service in Paris.

Christopher Hoy graduated from Godwin in 1993 and then proceeded to earn his degree in criminal justice at James Madison University in 1997. Hoy has always had a passion for federal law enforcement and served as a Henrico County police officer for two years before joining the Secret Service at age 24.

Hoy’s son moved to Paris during the summer and has been a Special Agent for a total of fourteen years. C. Hoy and his family are now living in an apartment, which is located three blocks from the Eiffel Tower.

After not seeing his family for eight months T. Hoy was having what he called “grandchildren withdrawal syndrome” and decided that spring break would be a great time to visit them.

During their time in France Hoy and his family went to many popular tourist destinations such as the medieval castle Le Mont St. Michel, the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, the United States Embassy, and the Seine River.

Hoy’s family especially enjoyed going to the beaches of Normandy where the D-Day Invasion occurred.

“It was my favorite because of the tremendous history involved, as it has to be one of the most courageous battles in history. My father in law was shot down twice in World War II so it was great to see where the US troops landed as they moved into France and eventually freed the Prisoners of War,” said Hoy.

This was the trip of a lifetime for Hoy because he had never traveled out of the US. He looks forward to being able to visit Paris again sometime in the near future.

“It was great to experience other cultures, languages, and architecture while in France,” said Hoy.

All photos courtesy of Kathy and Tom Hoy