By Mathilda Sullivan and Maggie Franz
Photo by Mathilda Sullivan
Spring break is a special time for students in America. It is usually about a week off from school, and it happens sometime in March or April. The exact timing depends on the school, but, as the name suggests, it always comes between winter and summer. This break is important because it gives students a chance to relax before the last part of the school year, which can be stressful with its standardized testing, exams, and culminating projects and performances. After months of classes, homework, and tests, students really need time to recharge and gear up for the last, most challenging time of the year.
Many students choose to travel during spring break. Many of them go to warm, sunny places, especially near the beach. These places are popular because students can hang out, swim, and just enjoy not having school for a little while. For example, Emma Taher, a senior at the Willow School, said, “I’m going to Biloxi with a small group of friends for three days. Let’s go to Margaritaville!!”
For some students, especially older ones, this might even be their first time going on a trip without their families, which makes it even more exciting.
Some students go even farther and travel out of the country. Naomi Gugel, a freshman at the Willow School, said, “I am going to Puerto Rico, a beautiful tropical destination in the Caribbean known for its beaches, warm weather, and vibrant culture.” Trips like this can be really special because students get to experience new places and cultures. Naomi is also going with her family, which shows that spring break is not just about friends–it can also be about spending time with family and making memories together.
Not everyone wants to go somewhere warm, though. Some students choose completely different types of trips. Sofia Partesotti, another freshman at the Willow School, said, “I am going to New York City with my family and friends.” Instead of going to the beach like she usually does, she decided to try something new this year. She plans to go shopping, visit Central Park, and just hang out with her friends. Even though it’s not a relaxing beach trip, it’s still a break from school and a chance to do something fun and different.
Students also travel in different ways. Some people fly, while others prefer to drive. Sofia said she will be flying to New York, and even though flying can sometimes be stressful and is almost always more expensive, it’s definitely quicker.
On the other hand, some students would rather drive, especially if their destination is close. Emma Taher said, “We’re driving! Since it’s such a short distance, we figured we’d rather drive to avoid the airports right now.”
Another student, Ayden Reinlieb, is also going on a road trip. He said, “The day after spring break starts, I will be driving with my friends Carson and Max,” to a house near Seaside. His trip seems more about relaxing and hanging out with friends than going somewhere fancy. Spring break doesn’t have to be super expensive or far away to be fun.
Even though a lot of students use spring break to relax or travel, some students choose to focus on school or their future. For example, Lauren Breaux, a sophomore at the Willow School, said, “I’m going to Houston to tour the University of Houston.” Instead of just relaxing, she is using her time to think about college and her future, which is also really important.
Another student, Henry Harowski, said, “I will spend my spring break studying and continuing to learn.” He explained that he has a lot of hard classes, and even taking one week off could hurt his grades. This shows that some students feel a lot of pressure to stay on top of their schoolwork, even during a break.
At the same time, not everyone leaves town for spring break. Some students stay home but still enjoy their time off. One student said, “I spent my spring break here with my family and friends. I also work at the Children’s Museum, so I spent a portion of my break working with kids.”
Even though everyone’s plans are different, they all have one thing in common–they are excited for a break when the weather warms up before it starts to get New Orleans hot.