After a long, cold winter, spring is approaching in the Chicago area, and senior students at Hinsdale Central are preparing themselves for their spring break trips with friends and family.
Senior spring break has been a long standing tradition for seniors, many recognize their trips as one of their last opportunities to create memories with the classmates they grew up with. Whether certain friend groups decide to travel to a beach location, a city location or even a road trip nearby, the focus is on unity and connection with each other.
A big portion of the class of ‘26 student body has booked to go to Punta Cana the week of Mar. 30. Students have bought their outfits and items to prepare for their trip. Some items include hats of the colleges they commit to and matching white outfits to take traditional group photos in white on the beach.
“I have been looking forward to this trip since I was a freshman, I can’t wait to be in warm weather and enjoy these last moments before we all go off to college,” said Franky Chemachel, senior.
While most seniors have booked to enjoy the nice weather and topical atmosphere of Punta Cana many have planned separate trips to different locations. Some other popular destinations include Florida, Puerto Rico, Mexico and California as students seek locations with warm weather.
“Me and my girls are going to Puerto Rico. We are so excited to take sunset walks on the beach and participate in the jungle activities like ziplining…I am bringing my digital camera and cannot wait to take the best photos and make the best memories,” said Iman Halabi, senior.
During this trip social media becomes flooded with snapshots of sunsets, group dinners, late night adventures and Tiktok trends. Many friend groups have purchased matching outfits, games to play in their hotel rooms and cameras to take aesthetic photos that they will carry with them for life.
Most seniors not only travel with friends but with their families as well. Parents and siblings of seniors are excited to tag along and spend some of their last cherished moments with their family members before they go off to college.
Students have been planning this trip all year as they sorted out hotel choices, travel costs, outfit preparation, food costs and activities. After stressing the plans of this trip students are prepared to enjoy their time off and have fun with their high school friends before meeting new ones at college.
“It is a bittersweet feeling, I can’t wait to make unforgettable memories but it’s sad to think we will be graduating soon and these are some of our last moments together…I know we will make the most of every moment,” said Judy Atassi, senior.
As graduation approaches, the week of spring break is more than a vacation to students at Hinsdale Central, it is a final chapter before a new one begins and a chance for students to make the most of the time they have left in high school.
