For one glorious week, alarms were silenced, backpacks were forgotten, and NAHS students scattered. During winter break, while some use the time to get in some last-minute skiing, others run away to a tropical paradise. No matter where they ended up, the Dubs know how to make any situation fun.
While many students spent the break relaxing, freshman Luke Phillips spent his time on the ice. He travelled to Minneapolis, Minnesota, for a hockey tournament, trading his free time for early mornings and late nights. Phillips’ team competed in four games and finished with a 3-1 record, losing in the championship game. Even though he missed out on some parties and hangouts back home, he said that competing with his team was worth it. “I definitely missed hanging out with my friends, but playing in the finals made it worth it,” said Phillips.
It wasn’t hard to find NAHS students who traded the Georgia weather for snow-covered slopes. Sophomores Cora Butler and Ellis Graff headed to a popular ski spot, Breckenridge, Colorado. The two spent their time carving down the mountain, winding through packed trails, and taking in the view in between runs. While skiing was the main event, the trip turned into a mini NAHS reunion as they met up with other Dubs who just happened to be in the same location. “The trip was so much fun! I loved being able to see my friends from home on vacation,” said Buttler.
While going on a full vacation is fun, many juniors decided to start preparing for life after high school. Junior Sophie Yano visited many colleges, including Florida, Auburn, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Clemson. Traveling to each campus gave her a clear picture of what her future could look like. Yano met up with three of her friends throughout the week, turning her college tours into a mix of gossip and fun. “Touring colleges was a great use of my time; it really allowed me to see how going there would feel,” said Yano.
Other students like Zoe Piernik decided to escape the cold and head somewhere tropical. Piernik spent her break at Clearwater Beach basking in the sun, reading by the water, and taking long walks on the beach. The slow pace at the beach gave her the chance to unwind after a stressful few weeks back at school. While the relaxing atmosphere was a nice change from school, she admitted that it had some downsides. “I loved being at the beach, but I definitely missed my friends and all the fun they were having back home,” said Piernik.
From snow-covered slopes to sunny beaches, NAHS students made the most of their time away. Now, as winter break fades away and we return to busy school days, the memories and stories remain.
