WOODBURY — The abundance of holidays, the new year, zero worry, and sleeping in. Students at Nonnewaug High School are coming down from relaxation and are settling back in after their two-week winter vacation. 

Some students used the winter break to reflect on the first semester of school. Knowing that the break was just temporary was the worrisome aspect of it. Students went back to school the day after New Year’s Day, finally preparing for the rest of the year.

During break, students had plenty of free time to work as well as participate in activities or hobbies. 

“I worked 60 hours compared to usually working 30 hours a week,” said Dylan Loring, a Nonnewaug junior. “It’s nice because I got paid a lot more.”

Other students also used the time to debrief and relax.

“During break, I didn’t do much. School became very overwhelming for me, and I used it as a time to step away from all the stress that school has given me,” said Zinna Marcus, a Nonnewaug sophomore. “I stayed home and hung out with my friends. My break was a time that I didn’t have to worry about assignments or overwork myself.”

Student-athletes didn’t get the same break as everyone else. The sports seasons don’t break just because school did. 

“I feel like you really don’t get to enjoy your break because you have practice so many days,” sophomore basketball player Max Nichols said. “I wish I had a few more days of just relaxing.” 

Sports add a lot to students’ lives and change schedules, meaning they don’t get long holidays off. 

“We had a Christmas tournament against Canton,” said freshman JV basketball player Reed Nettleton. “We only had one game and then varsity had two games. We had one on New Year’s Eve. We had a couple, but it was hard work but it was also fun.” 

Loring and Marcus were among the students who valued their break. Nichols was unable to do so in the meantime, but Nettleton used the time off as a chance to put in extra effort. Break provides both advantages and disadvantages for students. 

“I enjoyed having a long break. The positives are spending more time with my family,” Josh Rubbo, a junior, said. “The downs are not being able to see my friends often.” 

“Break was very enjoyable for me. I spent time with my family and my friends,” says Elena Costantini, a sophomore. “I didn’t do much, which was one con of mine because I wanted to spend my break with more activity. However, it was positive because I got to know my loved ones more and spend quality time with them which was much needed.” 

Winter break was beneficial to many students.

“I spent time away from school by going out of town and visiting my cousins, which benefited me because I can’t see them often because of distance,” said junior Gianna Geraci.

Family and friends bring joy to many like Geraci.

“Break was beneficial because I have friends in different grades than me, and in school I don’t get to see them in most of my classes, but it’s very fun to see them and spend time with them outside of school,” says Eleanor Lingley, a junior. “I can’t wait for the next break to be able to do it all over again.”

Aside from the time off, going back into a school schedule has given students mixed feelings. 

“I was for sure not ready to go back to school. Break messed up my routine of sleeping in and being able to relax at home,” says sophomore Sephora Martello. “The holidays were packed and stressful and I wasn’t able to fully take a break. I felt more comfortable at home and going back was nerve-racking. Also, I feel like going back to school for two days is a waste of time. It is overwhelming for my teachers to compact me with classwork and homework just for the weekend to come around the corner.” 

Students have a whirl of emotions and are not sure what to feel coming back on Jan. 2.

“I feel like it is good to be back at school. I felt like the break was too long,“ says Jemarie Willbright, a junior. “It is hard because my family went away to our family in a different state, and I wasn’t able to enjoy time with my friends. I wanted to go back to school so badly because I missed my friends and some of my teachers.”