This school year is coming to its close; the weather is getting warmer, new activities are beginning, the sun is out, and soon school will be, too.

Normally, students would spend their final weeks before summer cramming for Regents exams or finals. Now, with some students taking their final AP exams and others focused on ending the year, new summer opportunities are in the air. 

For some, summer is jam packed, with busy schedules or vacations that are pre-planned and ready to go. However, for many teenagers it is common for summer vacation to resemble the Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days book; days spent wondering “What should I be doing right now?” Either way, the overall consensus is that after a difficult school year, Nanuet High School Students are looking forward to a well-deserved break. 

Oftentimes students use their time off during summer break to work, and gain some work experience for after high school, or just earn some cash. Sophomore Courtney Muscarello plans to work as a dental assistant this summer. 

“Some people do this as a career,” she said, adding, “I have my work cut out for me, but I’m looking forward to it.”

 Summer jobs are a great way to keep busy in the summer, and working can have tons of other great benefits for students down the line, aside from just being a way to spend the days that are not consumed by school. 

Junior Brendan Bennett is working at West Nyack Swim and Tennis Club this summer. This will be his first season there.

“It’s a great place to work,” he said. “I think it’ll be a great summer. I’m really enjoying working so far.”

Sophomore Amanda Drobes also plans to work this summer as a camp counselor. 

“I’m excited to work around the little kids, and I get to go back to my old camp,” she said. 

Childhood summer memories are some of the best memories for many, and as we grow up, it often feels like we age out of that magic. Summer as a teenager can be just as enjoyable, especially for those who still have exciting summer traditions to look forward to. 

Many Nanuet students have said they most look forward to spending time with their friends this summer, playing sports, or going to the beach with their family. 

“This summer I plan on taking many trips to the beach with my friends,” says junior Autumn Kroenung. “My favorite place to go over the summer is Wildwood with my family. I look forward to it every year.” 

As does junior Madelyn Gallagher, who plans to visit Long Beach Island with her friends and family. 

Senior Joe Padilla also says he and his friends plan to visit the Jersey Shore this summer, adding that many seniors have plans to spend as much time with their friends as possible before getting ready to leave for college in the fall. 

“The last summer before college starts is a big one for us,” he said. “It’s bittersweet, especially after the weird year we’ve had.” Freshman Katie Conway says she has a few different plans for this summer.

“Sometimes I volunteer to pick up trash at the beach during the summers,” she said. 

Being a golf player, she also uses the summer to get some practice in. 

“I might volunteer for a golf program this summer,” she said, “but I’m really looking forward to getting back into swimming and just being in nature.” 

Sophomore Alison Murray, who plays Varsity Girls Lacrosse here at Nanuet, said her summer will mostly be consumed with lacrosse practices, and games for her travel teams. For Alison and many other Nanuet student athletes, the entirety of summer is dedicated to long practices and sometimes even longer car rides to games or tournaments. Summer is the perfect opportunity to improve during practices and stay in shape for the next season. 

With COVID-19 precautions loosening and now allowing for some more travel opportunities, some students have plans to travel. 

Freshman Julia Lehane, who has family in Ireland, plans to visit this summer. 

“I usually go visit my family in Ireland in the summertime,” she said, adding, “I’m going to Cape Cod this summer, too, with one of my friends and her family.” 

While our summers may not resemble that of Phineas and Ferb all the time, Nanuet students have some pretty great ideas and plans lined up for this year’s summer break. At the end of the day, the reason for the season off from school is for relaxation. 

It’s been a tough year, and we’ve made it! Use this summer break to appreciate the hard work we’ve all put in this year, and the relief that comes with this much-needed break, because school during a pandemic is not easy, and yet here we are. The days are getting longer and brighter, illuminating the light at the end of the tunnel.