With autumn’s falling leaves trailing and (hopefully) an array of snow days ahead, RHS students eagerly anticipate the 2023 winter break. K-12 students are gearing up for the vital eleven-day hiatus of relaxation and quality family time. Although high school’s holiday spirit doesn’t live up to that of the elementary schools —  think Polar Express watch parties — Tatum and I still seek to spread festivity.

      In order to do so, this year, we asked a student from each grade some questions to get a gauge of the student body’s opinions on holiday activities. We asked the following:

1.)   Do you celebrate any holidays over winter break? Do you have any plans?

2.)   Is winter break an actual break from school? Is there any feedback you can provide to improve it?

3.)   What are your New Year’s resolutions and/or goals?

4.)   What are you grateful for this holiday season?

RHS freshman Avery Ertel had much to say, providing the two of us with insightful answers. She, like much of the student body, celebrates Christmas, and she explained some of her usual holiday traditions:

1.)   “Usually, I don’t go away anywhere during the break, but on Christmas Eve, I usually go see my cousins and family on my dad’s side. On Christmas day, I go see my grandma and all my family on my mom’s side, which is really fun because I get to see all of my family.”

2.)   “Winter break definitely is a break from school, but sometimes it can get busy because some people see a lot of family and friends, so I feel a couple extra days could be nice for the people who tend to be very busy and travel during the holidays.”

3.)   “My new year’s goals and resolutions are definitely to keep working at getting my knee better for my sports seasons coming up. I feel as though if I continue to work hard and rehab my knee, the goal will be to play during lacrosse season this year.”

4.)   “I am definitely grateful for my friends and family because they have all helped me so much the past few years with everything, but especially my past injuries that have definitely been a struggle. I am also very grateful for my teachers, who continue to work hard to help me get better and continue to do good work.” 

For the class of 2026, we talked to James Frank:

1.)   “I celebrate Christmas, but I’m not, like, going to church – I’m just having a fun little gift and a fun little dinner. I think I’m going to go into the city with my family.

2.)   “No; I literally do work the whole time, because I’m catching up from what I either haven’t done or need to do that I haven’t done yet. It needs to be two weeks long… but I know that it can’t, because I don’t want to go to school a week later at the end of the year. I think Radnor should consider making winter break a full week and a half; give us a couple days, just free us for maybe four days after the week after Christmas – are you seeing the vision?”

3.)   “I don’t want to fail my classes – that’s a goal.”

4.)   “I’m grateful for my friends, my family, and my safety in general; I have food and I have clothes, and I’m grateful for that.”

Riley d’Entremont, a junior, like many of us, believes that to get a restful break and start 2024 off strong, teachers should consider pressing the brake pedal on school assignments.

1) “I celebrate Christmas. My plans for break are to see my family and friends.”

2) “When teachers give assignments over break, it makes our break from school more stressful. In order to make the break better, teachers should not assign homework.”

3) “My New Year’s resolution is to get better time management.”

4) “I am grateful for my friends and family.”

RHS’s beloved seniors are about to embark on their final high school winter break, perhaps a bittersweet moment for them. Quinn Schultz expertly answered each question, providing an informative perspective on the holiday break and entrance into the new year:

1) “I celebrate Christmas with my three sisters and Nana at our house every Christmas. I will be traveling to see my other grandparents and cousins over break, as well.”

2) “Winter break is a nice break from school, however, I believe it should be longer because it is near the half-way mark of school, and many people could use a break to reflect on the past year and better themselves heading into the new year. I would simply urge the township for a longer break with more physical and mental health resources for the students, so they can be more productive and set goals for themselves going into 2024.”

3) “One of my New Year’s resolutions is to end calculus with straight A’s and to get faster times for track.”

4) “One thing I am grateful for is my health. It is something that a lot of people take for granted, however, not everyone is as fortunate.”

Staycation or vacation, Christmas or not, through our interviews, we found that RHS students are excitedly preparing for the holiday season. Freshmen and seniors alike have crossed their fingers for minimal homework or a longer break, while looking forward to R&R with family and friends. Winter break provides students with the much-needed intermediary pause, before the rush of midterms inevitably hurls itself at RHS. 

Now that winter break is finally upon us, students must remember to cherish time spent with companions, reflect on the year behind them, set achievable goals for 2024, and be grateful for all that Radnor is fortunate enough to have. We wish everyone a very happy holiday – until next year, RHS!