Now that the seniors have graduated and the weather has warmed up, the entirety of Newburyport High School is getting antsy for summer vacation to begin.
Throughout the school windows are opened wide and during lunch, groups of students arrange themselves in the courtyard hoping to get as much of the fresh air as they can. School end count downs written on many white boards in the school are getting closer and closer to “0 days left!”. None of us can wait to get outside and enjoy the sun.
While summer provides the much needed chance for students and teachers to recharge our batteries it is also the perfect opportunity to pursue activities that we don’t have time for during the busy school year.
I especially like to use the extra time to go on hikes with my family, visit our beautiful beach on hot days, and sit outside in the shady haven of my backyard to paint and draw. Often during my summers I like to bring my sketchbook and pencils to the waterfront and perch myself on one of the benches for hours to simply draw and appreciate the beauty of my town. Meanwhile, many other students love to take the chance to travel, find summer jobs, or attend summer programs like those offered by our local Youth Services.
This year is especially exciting for many students involved with the language program at the high school, who will be traveling to Europe and staying with the host families they had the chance to meet during the fall when German and Spanish students visited Newburyport. The exchange trip will last a total of about three weeks and students will get the chance to know local culture, explore new landscapes, and build their foreign language skills.
Additionally, summer vacation is a great time for students to volunteer both within the community and beyond. Last year for example, I took a week long life changing trip with several friends to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota to volunteer with Remember.
We spent a large part of the year before preparing for the experience, learning about native rights and discrimination, and getting to know all our group members before finally flying across the country.
Despite astronomically high levels of poverty, the reservation was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been honored enough to visit. My group and I worked on repairing trailer skirting, replacing porches and stairs, making bunk beds and learning as much as we could about the culture, community, and history in such a brief time.
My favorite aspect was getting to meet some of the amazingly resilient individuals that live in the area; people who, despite the crippling poverty they must face daily, are able to hold onto such joy and optimism. Although this summer I will not be able to return to Pine Ridge, I hope to continue doing my part in educating individuals about the issues permeating reservations and native american discrimination until I am able to return. In the meanwhile, I definitely plan to commit part of my summer time towards community service, though on a more local basis.
Furthermore, one of the busiest and most exciting times in Newburyport every year is Yankee Homecoming, a tradition taking place since 1958. While downtown Newburyport is always a vibrant place, Yankee Homecoming manages to bring an unmatched degree of energy to our city. The festival, which takes place during the first week of August, includes races, entertainment, beautiful fireworks, and a parade. As a South End resident, I love being able to walk just a few blocks over to catch the increasingly lavish beds in the bed race and it is always a pleasure to cheer on friends and family participating in the annual 5k and 10 mile races.
Of course, another one of my absolute favorite things about Yankee Homecoming is the week long series of waterfront concerts. Since I was very young I have always looked forward to setting up a picnic blanket by the waterfront and listening to amazing concerts by local talent like Chris Plante, the B-Street Bombers and of course my family’s favorite, Beatlejuice.
From trips with friends to music by the water, it seems the possibilities for this summer in Newburyport are endless, and I cannot wait to see all the things this season has to bring!
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