With the disappointing lack of snow and uncrowded malls and cities, it’s hard to believe that a three-week winter break has already come and gone. After a challenging and swift week of exams, many, if not all, of the KO community looked forward to the arrival of a much-needed break accompanied by the scenery of a winter wonderland. While the latter part never came, KO students were able to enjoy a restful and relaxing break albeit with some modifications.
With guidance to restrict travel, many students had their plans and yearly traditions changed. Senior Adam Theodorou noted this effect on his winter plans. “We typically go to New York City every year to go shopping in Chinatown,” Adam said, “but this year, we decided safety was our top priority, so we stayed at home.” His family’s tradition of visiting St. Patrick’s Cathedral also had to be modified, becoming a virtual visit instead.
After a frantic week of semester exams and projects, it’s no surprise that several students took advantage of the break to unwind. Junior Marrich Somridhivej noted that his winter break was comprised of watching movies like “Tenet” from the comforts of home. “To be safe, my family decided to stay home for the break,” Marrich said. “It was a bit boring, but it was nice to not have to worry about upcoming tests or homework assignments.”
Several students also took the time to be productive or learn new skills. After finishing up college applications, Adam noted that he had a surplus of free time. “I spent my break preparing for life in college, so I started to learn how to cook more, do the laundry, and clean my room efficiently,” Adam said. “I also spent the break doing soccer training with my dad and my friends.”
Some students, such as sophomore Luke Roen, still traveled while following the appropriate COVID-19 safety measures. “My family drove to the Bronx Zoo and walked around to do some sightseeing,” Luke said. “We also stayed in an Airbnb for the night just to get out of the house.”
Ultimately, the holiday season is about coming together, something that is incredibly important during these unprecedented times. During this winter break, many members of the community had to find new ways to keep in touch with family and friends safely. Most people kept in touch with their relatives via FaceTime or Zoom in lieu of a family gathering; however, students like Luke noted that it wasn’t quite the same.
“We would normally gather at my grandparents’ house and exchange gifts in person, which we obviously couldn’t do this year,” Luke said. “Instead we had to cook for just ourselves while watching Christmas movies. It was fun but not the same, but we did sing a Christmas carol outside of our grandparents’ house.”
While 2020 was definitely different from previous years, we at the KO News hope you all had a wonderful and safe winter break and New Year and are ready to take on the second semester!
