As the first semester of the school year climaxes in early midterms, cold winds, and college admissions decisions, DHS’ students are desperate for holiday break. With the same dedication that they apply to their academics and extracurriculars, DHS’ students are equally determined to make the most of their time off during the holidays.

1. Baking

Senior Remi Repsher says that her favorite part of holiday break is sharing “homemade Christmas treats with [her] family by the fire.”

2. Skiing

Senior Chloe Bortel, a dedicated ballerina at the Darien Arts Center’s Dance Academy, takes a break from her pointe shoes to partake in a different type of sport. When asked what her favorite thing to do over break was, Bortel excitedly said “skiing!”

3. Go into the city

Mackenzie Maier, a DHS senior, says that she loves when “[her] family and [her] go to see the Christmas light show in Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.”

4. Spoil your pets

Senior Ashley Clarke says she loves to “pet [her] cat” during the holidays.

Maier suggests the financial benefits to people’s love of their pets when paired with Darienites’ proclivity for vacationing, saying that she enjoys feeding “people’s pets for money” over the holidays.

5. Spend time with friends and family

Senior Rachel Greca says that her “favorite thing to do over Christmas break is to go on adventures with friends because [she loves] spending time with them and being able to take full advantage of the free time!” Clarke agrees with Greca, only leaving her beloved cats to “spend time with family.”

6. Sleep

When asked what she will do over holiday break, Junior Lindy Mueller simply said “sleep.”