North Atlanta’s vast population of students has reached the most painful reality check of the year: Summer is over, and it is officially time to get back to the classrooms. The Summer days of 2023 are now in the past, leaving students with nothing but epic memories of time well spent during arguably the most rewarding break of the year. While Dubs are now back to their “regular” school days, summer for many of these students was anything but regular, with many visiting spectacular locations across the globe, leaving them with tales to tell that will last them a lifetime.
The glorious months of June and July saw students visiting many astounding destinations. Senior Holden Cooley enjoyed a marvelous family vacation in Sweden, spending his time on beautiful hikes and adventuring through the wonders of the location. Surprisingly, this is not his first time visiting the country, as he also vacationed there last summer, clearly making it a family favorite. “Sweden is definitely one of my favorite places we have vacationed to,” he said, “it is also always nice to spend time with my sister, who spends the majority of her time at college.”
Senior Alexandra Kazamias had one of the more extraordinary experiences, spending 2 weeks in Africa on a service trip with Global Leadership Adventures. While there, she had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to tutor children, build and refurbish school facilities, and hike through some of the country’s most beautiful areas. “It was truly remarkable and I met so many new people,” she said, “my favorite part was definitely getting to know all of the kids and learning more about the culture.”
While plenty of students had extravagant trips outside of the country, many did not travel internationally and still had sensational experiences. While some mastered the art of relaxation, not straying far from the comfort of their homes, others traveled to other areas within the boundaries of the States. For instance, America’s many national parks are infamous for their summertime activities which are especially exciting for the more adventurous students. One of those adrenaline seekers is freshman Heidi Rohrer, who spent 2 weeks in Yosemite on a trip filled with hiking, backpacking, and rafting. “Yosemite is so beautiful, and I love being outdoors. This trip was right up my alley and one I will remember forever,” she said.
Dubs proved they can do summer right and are certainly hesitant to leave these wondrous adventures behind and jump into a new year. Luckily, another summer will come around eventually, and plenty of breaks packed with additional adventures are right around the corner. Goodbye Summer (for now). The Dubs are so excitedly awaiting your return!