Winter break: a reprieve from the seemingly endless toil and rigor of school. It’s a time when students can rest and relax near the end of their first semester of school. All this relaxing happens while celebrating either Hanukkah, Christmas or any other major religious holiday. Whether they’re eating latkes or opening presents Christmas morning, students at AHS are enjoying their vacation as far away from school as possible with the people they enjoy being around.

For some students, that might mean going to a warm, tropical climate or a cold, rainy vacation spot with their family.

“I’m going to Ohio for winter break,” senior Fowzia Abdi said. “My family doesn’t celebrate Christmas, but it’s nice to spend time with them.”

Ohio might not have a desireable climate, but it’s time spent with family that motivates these students. A common theme among students is that almost all winter breaks are spent with immediate and extended families.

“My brothers are coming home from college for the break,” senior Nadia Ennasr said. “Then we’ll probably go up to Michigan to spend time with my extended family.”

Michigan is another climate entirely, and snow is almost a certainty for anyone planning to spend their winter break that far north.

Sometimes, spending winter break closer to home with or without family is a viable option for any student not looking to travel.

“I’m going to North Carolina with my family,” senior Jordan Winkler said. “I’m spending Christmas with my grandparents and some of my extended family.”

Going on vacation is a great way to spend one’s vacation, but traveling might not always be a viable option. In the end, it’s spending time with family and friends that makes winter break the way it is.

“I’m staying here, in the Annandale area,” senior Minhajul Islam said. “I’m going to be hanging out with friends most of the time.”