This winter, seniors at Marriotts Ridge hope for potential snowstorms to shorten their school year. Last year, students were disappointed due to the lack of snow days and the warm winter weather. Snow days are especially exciting for seniors because they don’t have to make them up at the end of the year. Students look forward to sleeping in and playing in the snow although they aren’t happy about the asynchronous work that will be assigned during the first three snow days.
Many seniors look forward to all the fun activities that the winter season has to offer.
“I’m looking forward to snow sports like skiing, sledding, and ice skating this winter,” said senior Dylan Villarreal.
Other students are more excited for the jolly, spirit-filled atmosphere throughout the winter months.
“I love how happy and festive everybody is during Thanksgiving and Christmas,” senior Jackson Berry said.
The warm summer weather that has crept into October makes it hard to believe that cold weather is on its way. However, weather forecasts predict that snow will start to fall in November well before it usually arrives in December.
“It’ll be a Winter Wonderland in most places throughout the US,” according to the 2024 Farmers Almanac.
The cold winter will be a nice surprise for football fans all around. Students are excited to see the snowy and festive NFL season as it stretches all the way into February.
In our own Marriotts Ridge community, the men’s and women’s basketball, indoor track, wrestling and hockey teams will start their season in hopes of dominating the county.
Arguably, the most important part of winter is the holiday season and winter break. Students take part in their own cultural and traditional festivities every year to celebrate these holidays.
“Christmas is my favorite holiday by far, I love when my grandma makes her famous brisket that she cooks every year,” stated sophomore Alex Gladstone.
Thanksgiving is another holiday students look forward to. Many students particularly love the food.
“Every year for Thanksgiving my father packs loads of stuffing into our turkey, we also prepare sides of mashed potatoes, green beans and cranberry,” remarked senior Boston Brown.
The week off of school for winter break gives students the perfect opportunity to travel. As some students look to escape the frigid cold, others will head up into the mountains to ski and snowboard.
“My friend and I are traveling to Utah to shred powder at Park City Resort. Hopefully, the conditions are optimal for skiing,” said senior Zachary Vernick.
Traveling to visit distant family is also on the agenda for many students. Spending as much time with relatives as possible is important to students.
“Me and my family are traveling to both my grandparent’s houses in Virginia and Pennsylvania,” Gladstone shared.
Students also look forward to the New Year, as many are setting goals for their New Year’s resolutions. Many people have goals for their fitness journey. Such as consistently going to the gym or being more active. Others set very high standards for themselves.
“I plan to put on a solid 30 pounds of muscle by the end of the New Year,” senior Benji Nagiel said.
This winter is shaping up to be a big one for the students at Marriotts Ridge. As it’s quickly approaching with dropping temperatures and changing leaves, we can only wonder what winter will hold this year.