Text by SASHA BOUDTCHENKO and MERWA MAROF
PANDEMIC PROMPTS STUDENTS TO ADAPT HOLIDAY PLANS
‘Tis the season H
OUSES ADORNED WITH which means she will be studying more than vibrant lights, coffee shops per- celebrating on the last day. Her family still meated with peppermint scents, plans to light candles, say blessings and eat grocery stores filled with hol- traditional foods but will keep the bigger celiday music — these are the wintery scenes ebrations for the eighth day. familiar to many as the Junior Rohini year comes to a close. Bharat celebrates The holiday season We try to see as much Diwali, and her celis traditionally a time family as we can ... beebration normally when families gathincludes spending er from all corners of cause celebrating with a time with family, the world to celebrate lot more people is a lot going to parties various festivities. This and lighting canyear, the usually hectic more fun.” dles and sparklers season filled with bustogether. —ARIELLE BLUMENFELD, sophomore tling shopping centers, Instead of instuffy airplane rides and viting extended clingy cousins will be family and friends exchanged for sitting in front of a comput- over this year, Bharat celebrated by lighter, waiting for a turn to talk with grandma ing candles with her immediate family and through a little box on the screen. Despite celebrating with sparklers. Even with these these changes, there are unique circumstances, Bharat still felt the many ways that Palo Diwali spirit but still missed going to big Alto High School parties at her relatives homes. students are keeping “The main thing that’s super exciting is the holiday spirit alive really interacting with people … I think it within the limitations would be cool if we did that [waved at relof the pandemic. atives with sparklers at a distance],” Bharat said. Adapting tradition Many other families will also be conChristmas, Hanuk- necting with relatives virtually through video kah and Diwali are just a call platforms such as Zoom or Facetime in few of the winter holidays lieu of seeing them in person. that will look different this year. Holiday travel Sophomore Arielle BluWhile many students are staying home menfeld normally sees as much this holiday season, some are still planning to family as possible during Hanuk- escape somewhere a bit closer to home. kah. She is fond of the annual family According to an opt-in Verde survey gathering, eating delicious food, singing of 136 students conducted in November, songs and telling stories. 74.3% of students said they normally trav“We try to see as much family as we can el during the holidays. This year, however, … because celebrating with a lot of people is 78.7% plan on staying home. a lot more fun,” Blumenfled said. Junior Cate Barrett normally visits her For Blumenfeld, her Hanukkah plans grandparents and cousins in Australia every are continually changing due to the holiday year for Christmas and New Years, where the being held during different days each year. holidays look a bit different. This year Hanukkah falls during finals week “We always have the ‘Santa-in-shorts’
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