Spring Break finally...

    As the media would often portray, Spring Break is the opportunity for older students, mostly in college, to travel to Florida or Mexico and participate in the infamous Spring Break traditions of a wet tee-shirt contests, excessive drinking, and increased sexual behavior.
   
    It was not established for such a purpose.  It was originated with the Greeks when the Athenian elders noticed an increase in happiness among younger people and suggested a time period to formally welcome spring, and hence Spring Break was born.
   
    Not until the “swinging sixties” did people start to take advantage of the blissful weather and break from school or work to travel to the beaches of Florida to forget the stress of the war, social progress, and exams that were rapidly approaching.
  
    Students do not have to fear midterms, but with AP/IB exams rapidly approaching and finals towards the end of the year, the break seems to serve as a final period solitude before the hassles of cramming and late nights.

    The Spring Break stereotype does not necessarily apply to the students here at Annandale. Many end up traveling with family, taking day trips, visiting colleges, or spending their time in the Annandale area.

    College visits are most common amongst the junior and senior classes, and occasionally for the sophomores eager to get a head start on the process.  

    For seniors this is one of their last chances to view schools before choosing their destination for next year.  With admissions decisions pouring in late March and early April, there are a limited number of weekends before then and May 1, the date final decisions must be mailed by students.  

    Juniors will also be among the crowds visiting colleges next week.  Spring break is prime time for visiting schools because many are still in session and it is easier to absorb the real vibe of the school when there are students roaming the campus.  Summer becomes more difficult because schools will appear deserted.

    Junior Samantha Wilkins will be visiting multiple colleges with her mother during break including Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Richmond, a school in Pennsylvania, and maybe a few schools in South Carolina.

    “I did a bit of searching [in preparation for the trip] and JMU (James Madison University) is at the top right now, I love it!  But I’m still going to see these other ones,” said Wilkins.

    For those not doing the college trips this Spring break, many are traveling on day trips or more extensive trips with family and friends.  

    Junior Laura Burton takes full advantage of the week off from school, and for the past two years has traveled to Richmond with her family to visit relatives, and last year traveled with her friend, fellow junior, Mary Kowalczyk.

    “I am so excited to go this year!  I always golf and go to Kings Dominion,” said Burton.  She had a very unique experience last year while down there when she was taught how to drive.

    “I’m super excited because I always have a good time with the people I see...we stay up late and sleep in and do everything we can and I love it!”

    Freshman Brian Coffman will be heading to South Carolina with his family for a nice getaway from the bustling life of Northern Virginia.  

    “We’re just going for vacation; we’ve only been once before,” said Coffman, “we went last year too.”

    Senior James Thach plans to head even further south towards the warm weather of Tampa Bay, Florida.  Thach is planning to travel with a bunch of his friends and has many plans in mind.

    “We’re going to be hitting up some arcades, eating at the local restaurants, checking out the boardwalk and getting a tattoo!” said Thach.

    These are the fortunate ones of AHS who have grasped the opportunity to venture away from, yet again, the hustle and bustle of northern Va. life.  Not all have made plans to escape for the week, and instead have made plans either in the area or in nearby Virginia regions.
          
    In past years, the Annandale baseball team has made Spring Break trips to play in tournaments.  Last year, the team traveled down to Charleston, South Carolina, to play in a week long tournament hosted by Summerville High School, playing games at Charleston Southern University.  This year the team will only be traveling to Manassas to play in the Osbourn Park Tournament.  For newcomer, Eric Reynolds, he is greatly anticipating this year’s games.
  
    But of course, there are always those that choose to hang around Annandale and simply bask in the freedom from a full week off from school.
  
    For those staying in the Annandale area, taking day trips to nearby attractions can add some spark and excitement to the week.
    
    Spring break is for spending time doing the things that one cannot do during the regular school week.  It is a chance to escape the loads of homework and the stress of tests and studying, a break for some from the hectic life of Northern Virginia, or a chance to discover new and exciting activities closer to home.