SAN JOSE, CALIF.—At Silver Creek High School, students and staff recently took a two-week break in December, celebrating the holidays with family and friends plus the completion of finals.

Students and staff received a two-week break in December, allowing everyone to rest and celebrate the holidays. Winter Break is well-deserving to those who have put effort into their work, studying, and giving a chance for students to celebrate the completion of finals. The break also includes Christmas and New Year, allowing everyone to spend time with family and friends and go on holiday trips without having to worry about assignments.

Silver Creek freshman, Luz Ramirez, says she began the break when she and her parents drove “to Modesto to celebrate Christmas with family, including her cousins, aunt, uncles and grandparents.” She reveals they had dinner, participated in Christmas games, and spent the night there with her family.”

“Besides that, my favorite part about my Winter Break was spending time with my cousins,” says Ramirez. She adds that “she enjoyed this Winter Break because it allowed her to spend more time with her family and make more memories.”

Brandyn Ngo states he began the annual break “by celebrating a friend’s birthday at Great America’s Winterfest.” Saying he was able “to celebrate Christmas four times.” 

Ngo’s favorite part was “shopping and wrapping presents because it was his first time buying gifts for everyone.” “I enjoyed Winter Break because it gave me a chance to catch up on shows, sleep, and spend quality time with family,” stated Ngo. 

He considers this break a “perfect way to unwind after finals and celebrate the end of 2024.” Ngo said he “felt a little more stressed but also happy” because he anticipates the second semester being more challenging and at a quicker pace.

Emma Lai started her break by celebrating her 15th birthday by going “to Great America with her friends.” She adds that the day after, she “went to Tahoe for three days, went to a large shopping center in Tahoe, and went ice skating.”

“My favorite part was going to Tahoe and snowboarding. Being able to spend time with my family was also something I liked about going to Tahoe,” stated Lai. Trying out snowboarding and ice skating for the first time, Lai says, helped her enjoy Winter Break more.

To reflect on her first semester, Lai says that she feels “proud of herself for holding up her grades, but is scared for this semester, because of how fast last semester went by.”

Winter Break plays a crucial role for students and teachers as it’s not just for recharging and relaxing, but it’s also for spending quality time and creating memories with family and friends during Christmas and New Year’s. Breaks allow everyone to reach for personal goals, allow family bonding, and encourage many to go on exciting adventures.