Hayley Kline –
The clock is ticking and students are anxiously tapping their pencils, glancing at their fellow students in suspense. It is the last day of school, and the minutes counting down to the final bell of the year seem like hours. The bell rings and summer has finally arrived.The students flood out of the school like a rushing waterfall. Nothing is standing between them and their magnificent summer plans.
Although most people think of summer as a time to relax, some students are taking advantage of the time off school to earn some extra money. “I’m spending my summer working at Goodwill,” said sophomore Jamy Maynard. Popular jobs for Fluvanna youth in the past have included Subway, Food Lion, and lifeguarding at the Lake Monticello pool. “”. Other ambitious students plan on attending early programs for college. “I have Basic Cadet Training starting June 26 for the United States Air Force Academy,” said senior Michael Mattson.
Few students would disagree that summer is their favorite season. It is their time to lie on the beach, traipse through the forest, or learn new experiences at a variety of camps. Some students remain close to home, while others fly across the world. “I’m probably going to spend my summer going to the [Lake Monticello] beach and hanging out with my friends,” said freshman Xavier Jones. Sophomore Meghan Copenhaver plans to travel all the way to India with her family when school ends.
Some selfless students have chosen to incorporate service into their summer plans. These students are traveling with their churches to assist with mission trips, some as close as Kentucky and some as far away as Haiti. “My church is going to Canada this summer. We’re going to be working on repairing houses,” said sophomore Jessie Kirby. Also a sophomore, Cara Wissinger is travelling all the way to Haiti this summer with her church. “I’m most excited to work with the children and bond with them. I’m excited to see how God uses me this summer and to see what doors it opens for me,” said Wissinger.
Mission trips aren’t the only way students are helping communities this summer. Sophomore Chase Karaca will be spending his summer volunteering at Martha Jefferson Hospital. “I have volunteered at Martha Jefferson before, and what I can say is that the impact a volunteer can make in a hospital is amazing. The staff becomes like a second family, and every minute is worth it,” said Karaca.
It is clear that the students of FCHS know how to appreciate their summer, but before they know it, their surroundings will transform from blue skies to dull classrooms.
