As the end of the school year approaches, students prepare to kick back and have some serious fun over the summer. Exciting plans for trips and explorations will make for some unforgettable memories over the break. With flights booked, suitcases ready for packing, and itineraries planned, the anticipation is building; whether they are staying in the country, or traveling abroad, all that is left to do is finish exams and get traveling.
Imagine traveling to the other side of the world, flying over 3,000 feet up in a plane and jumping with only a parachute to guide you down. With this opportunity of a lifetime how could you not jump right into it and not look back? Towards the end of July, Freshman Surisitee Motiram will be doing just that. “I’m terrified, but my mom said I have to do it because she already paid for it all,” said Motiram. She and her family will not only be toying with gravity as they take a trip to New Zealand, “We will be going to the shire where ‘The Hobbit’ was filmed, we’re going to see glaciers and go bungee jumping as well,” said Motiram.
Sophomore Michael Mayers will be venturing out of Severna Park and traveling to the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. He and his boy scout troop will escape for two weeks to the west, hiking and camping while strengthening friendships and lasting memories. “I’m really good friends with everyone that I’m going with so it will be a lot of fun,” said Mayer. This trip will give him an opportunity to develop essential life skills as well. “You get to do various activities like shooting rifles, horseback riding and rock climbing,” said Mayers. His biggest challenge will be all of the hiking about 63 miles, averaging five per day; such an activity is extremely taxing on the body. Having never been to this ranch before, Mayers will be in for a surprise.
Vacations to Florida allow plenty of family fun and are usually a common escape for SPHS students over the summer. Featuring countless amusement parks for kids and adults to enjoy such as Seaworld, Universal Studios, and especially Disney World, “It’s [Florida] great and aside from the rides, hanging out with your family in such a relaxing place is amazing,” said junior Alex Hunt. The blazing sunshine of this southern peninsula state sets perfect summer scene. Junior Chloe Ammon will be visiting a friend in Florida and plans to explore the ocean while down there. “Scuba diving and snorkeling are a lot of fun,” said Ammon, adding that she is excited to “swim, surf, and hang out with friends.” After a long, hot summer day in Florida, snorkeling will be the perfect getaway to cool off and observe the spectacular marine life.
The summer before your freshman year of college is essential; it is the prime time to dip your toes in the water and experience world before college comes around. SPHS Alumni Norman Xiong will be in Brazil for 12 days, making his summer stand out from the rest. “I will be visiting Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Iguazu Falls,” said Xiong. The trip will give him a taste of Brazil’s breathtaking sites. Rio de Janeiro is one of the most popular tourist attractions because of its white sandy beaches, soaring mountains, and picture-perfect harbors. “I’m most excited to see the waterfalls and the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio,” said Xiong of his excitement for exposure to such a different country. Christ the Redeemer, one of the Seven wonders of the world, is a statue built in 1922 during the heyday of the Art Deco movement. It is considered to be the largest statue designed in its genre in the world, standing at about 30 meters tall. Climbing to the top of it takes an exhausting 100 steps, but now there are escalators and elevators to help the trek pass by more quickly. Looking out over Brazil from that legendary perch will be a sight to remember this summer for Xiong.
Many high school students attend Woodswork, a mission trip sponsored by Woods Church to Union County, North Carolina. Students work among many teens from several communities join together to help build houses, a project with Habitat for Humanity. Not only houses are not being built there, though. “I can honestly say it’s always the highlight of my year on Woodswork because we build and repair houses for the less fortunate while making and strengthening friendships,” said junior Kendall Bear. Woodswork is a great opportunity for high school students to appreciate what they have and help others that aren’t as fortunate as them. “I’m most excited to see my friends that I haven’t been able to see in a while and to spend time focusing on the needs of others instead of myself,” said Bear. The trip lasts about two weeks as the teens build and repair several houses.
Whether students are traveling or not this summer will be one to have a blast and enjoy free time. School will be out, stress will be no more, and no matter the circumstances students will find something exciting to do. The lucky ones that actually do get to travel will return to Severna Park in the fall with amazing stories and remarkable memories to share.
