Kicking off the New Year

Thenew year has always been a bittersweet time for everyone. It’s the celebration of one chapter ending, but also the anticipation of an exciting new beginning.

“This semester has just felt so long, and it’s technically not even over yet, but I am excited to have some time off to relax before finishing it off,” said John Hines Shah, senior.

Throughout December, students and staff celebrated the end of 2022 with some merry festivities.

On Dec. 3, the annual Christmas Walk kicked off the holiday season with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Burlington Park in Hinsdale. Carnival rides, including the carousel and the trackless train, were especially popular among students. Street vendors lined Washington Street in downtown Hinsdale, with small businesses passing out discounts and holiday treats. The holiday spirit continued throughout December with New Year’s Celebrations.

Brookfield Zoo celebrated Zoo Year’s Eve with the confetti cannon to ring in the new year.

In Glen Ellyn, the annual McAninch Arts Center Concert took place at the Belushi Performance Hall and Kirk Muspratt conducted some festive holiday music.

In Hinsdale, restaurants such as Il Poggiolo and Lucille participated in the celebrations with New Year’s menu items. Il Poggiolo curated a special menu for children and adults and Lucille served a decadent multi-course dinner. After some the special meals at these restaurants, families enjoyed walking around Hinsdale and looking at holiday decorations.

Along with this, Central students showed that this is the season of giving by volunteering at the Hinsdale Public Library to help out with the NYE With the Kiddos event. The little kids played various games, won many prizes, and took part in a special countdown to noon.

“Giving back to the community is always a good way to start the new year,” said Sameea Patel, freshman.

Students and staff ended 2022 on a joyful note, and here is one way to continue the winter spirit into 2023.

The Burns Field Ice Rink located in Willowbrook will be opening as soon as the weather kicks into the snowy holiday spirit.

Along with this, the Warming Hut is tentatively scheduled to open on Jan. 7, and will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., as long as the rink is open. Students can indulge in skating with friends and family and then warm up by a cozy fire, while sipping on several cups of hot chocolate.

“Every year, my friends and I go out on the rink the very first day it opens. After falling dozens of times and laughing at our terrible ice skating skills, we love to just sit down and enjoy some hot chocolate afterward,” said Ayla Mushtaq, sophomore.

As the semester comes to a close, students and staff have not only reminisced about 2022, but also kicked off the new year.