Classrooms are filled with excited chatter as students and staff regale each other with stories of their winter break.
“It was great being back because I got to see my friends and they would tell me about their trips!” Eleventh grader Elizabeth Flantinis remarked.
Tuesday, January the 6th, was the first day back for Meridian World School students, after over two weeks of vacation, plenty of time for people to explore new areas or buckle down at home and decompress from a long year.
Junior, Shiv Patel, shared in an interview that he celebrated his winter break in Annand Gujarat. “I was going because I had a wedding I needed to go to and it had been 10 years since the last time I went. After that I went on a trip to North India..”
Many take advantage of the long break in order to finally check off activities from their bucket list or rest. While others take part in an interest that was put on hold during the craziness that is life.
Mrs. Cullen, 10th grade English, explains “this break between semesters is always so appreciated. I looked forward to choosing a few fun activities with my family but also having time to be really, truly lazy. I completed a couple puzzles with my daughter, read a book just for fun, tried cooking a few new recipes (that’s a hobby of mine), and watched Stranger Things.””
Each student and faculty member has unique experiences and traditions that make the time of year special for them.
Cullen has many family oriented traditions during Christmas as it is an important time for her family. “We attended candlelight services at two churches… make “Forgotten Cookies,” a recipe I have from my grandmother, and we also made molasses cookies to share.”
Most importantly, winter break provides the Meridian community a chance to reflect on the past year and prepare for the future.
Patel reflected over his time spent traveling in which he discussed “I spent a lot of time with my family there and really connect[ed] back with a way of life that is very different from here. Noticing these small things really makes you appreciate where you are and of course going to the wedding was the cherry on top.”
No matter what you choose to do during winter break you can’t go wrong. It is a time for relaxing and preparing for the new year to come. Meridian is glad to welcome back its students for their second semester, ready to finish the school year strong!
