With summer right around the corner, many SCHS students look forward to the activities and traditions that await them. For most, the warm season brings numerous possibilities and excitements for individuals to indulge in.
For sophomore Sophia Hernandez, her summer is often spent with her younger sister. During the school year, the pair have conflicting schedules and do not get to do many things together.
“I like to spend a lot more time with my sister over the summer because normally our schedules are overlapping with our schools, so I spend a lot of time with her,” Hernandez said. “We’ll just be at home playing games, or whatever she wants to do.”
Hernandez also embraces the freedom of summer while enjoying the feeling of not being held back by routine.
“There’s not so much stress about having to go back to school after the weekend. It’s a lot more carefree and a lot less stressful, and I feel like I can be myself more,” Hernandez said.
Traditions can include unique activities as well as the celebration of holidays. Chemistry teacher Daniel Lehnert’s favorite summer activity is volunteering at a 100 mile race. Known as the Western States 100, the race uses a lottery system to pick 300 racers to participate each summer. While they have not been chosen to run the race yet, Lehnert enjoys coordinating a station to provide runners with necessities to make it through the day.
“Ice, water, food, medical treatment, encouraging words, just whatever they need. To me, it’s a great day because it’s completely full of positivity and getting people to do things they didn’t think were possible otherwise,” Lehnert said.
Due to a more open schedule, sophomore Tessa Williamson can spend more time with her family. Every summer, she will attend a church camp with her family and friends, allowing them to spend more time together.
“It allows us to connect with the parents and further with each other in a close area,” Williamson said. “It’s special because other times when we’re just hanging out with each other, we don’t really connect with our parents. Family trips are more special.”
When she is not traveling, Williamson enjoys more laid back plans by spending her summertime with her close friends and hanging out around her neighborhood.
“Whenever I’m not doing anything, I’ll just walk over to my friends’ houses, and if I can hear them, I’ll just walk inside. We’ll play video games, or go get food by walking to Safeway or Taco Bell,” Williamson said.
Summer traditions are important to countless individuals in various ways, helping to keep relationships strong by spending time together.
“It’s how we connect and bond, and we do it continuously every year. It’s something that continues to bring us together,” Williamson said. “I think they’re really important so we can continue to stay close and build traditions that will continue to keep us close.”