People eagerly anticipate the New Year, counting down the days to New Year’s Eve since the moment the previous year ends. Some people enjoy doing nothing in the upcoming days of the New Year while others enjoy the opposite of being out on adventures. Junior Mario Perez falls into the adventurous category, always searching for fun new adventures during the holiday break to welcome the New Year with unforgettable memories. For winter break this year he went to North Carolina with his best friend and his family. It was Mario’s first time in North Carolina and he said that he would “…love to go again.” Over break, he went mudding on ATVs, snow tubing, and ice skating. As well as those activities, Mario got to see snow for the first time in his life. Seeing snow for the first time Mario described it as magical and said that “…it was exactly what I expected in texture. I was amazed and speechless by it, especially during snowfall.” For New Year’s Eve itself, Mario spent the evening watching TV and waiting for the ball to drop. Once the ball dropped, Mario and his best friend’s family celebrated by banging on pots and pans. When asked about what the New Year means to him, Mario responded by saying that it is “…a fresh start to forget the mistakes and the hurts but also new friendships and new experiences.” This winter break contained many exciting and new experiences for Mario.

For many people, like Mario, the New Year signifies not just the end of a holiday break but a profound opportunity for new beginnings and personal growth. It’s a time to set resolutions, and embrace the chance to chart a course toward self-improvement and positive change. The New Year stands as an open invitation to pursue aspirations and welcome the unknown with optimism, embracing the endless possibilities that lie ahead.