By News Editor: Kayla McClain

During the week of Jan. 5, Howell High School students were supposed to return from winter break. Instead of that, plans went eschew due to an uncontrollable force known as ‘the weather’. With inches upon inches of snow, it would have been dangerous to not close down school. So that’s when students received not one, but three snow days, extending their winter break. But with this, there were mixed feelings for students.

“Well, I think it was nice to have extra days off, but at the same time it just gave me more time to bury my school knowledge deep in my subconscious,” senior Brad Schnute says. “It also kind of screwed us over for midterms.”

Unfortunately, the three days students had off was during the week before midterms. Major drops in temperatures in the Northeast and Midwest affected many students because, despite them enjoying the extra break, they didn’t have as much time to review and study. Senior Lauren Bryne experienced this first hand when it came to her time.

“As for the snow days after break, they were fantastic! It was nice having three extra days to sleep in and chill out before everything gets crazy again,” Bryne says. “It is kind of hectic though, because we were supposed to be reviewing for most of the week and finishing things up, but I’m sure everything will be fine.”

As for the snow, it might have been difficult to handle, but luckily most actually enjoyed the belated white Christmas. Senior Kayla Finch not only muddled through heavy flurries, but found entertainment with them as well.

“I was so excited for the snow. I’m a skier, and when I go to Colorado, seeing a ton of snow is expected, but getting it here in Michigan is like a dream,” Finch says.

When it came to dreams, some found more peace by staying indoors.

“As for the snow, I stayed off the roads the first night, but I went out the next day, getting stuck and sliding all over the place,” Schnute explains. “And the cold, I just layered up and only went out when I had to.”

Along with days off after break, HHS also had a snow day Friday before the holiday break started. Some students would have been ecstatic that they had more time off, but for others that was not the case.

“The one [day] before break, I was really disappointed in,” Bryne says. “I was looking forward to having the holiday assembly so the choir and band could perform for the school. It was also terrible because I had tests scheduled that day that my teachers are still having us take [after break].”

It is fair to think that after 20 days out of school, students would have eventually gotten rather bored. Despite the cold, students found a way to still make the best of their time.

“I spent a lot of it with family, just mostly hanging out and catching up. I didn’t really get bored because I did something almost every day,” Schnute says.

Bryne generally has a hectic schedule during school with the National Honor Society, choir, theater, dancing, and studying, so this break was a satisfying relief for her.

“I only left my house like once or twice to see a movie,” Bryne laughs. “I stayed in my pajamas and hung out around the house for the most part. I didn’t want to have to drive if the roads were terrible. I was definitely not bored though. I actually learned how to relax over the break!”

Finch normally embraces cold weather anyway, but on Tuesday when it was below zero, being outside for long periods of time was an exception for even a passionate skier.

“I really like cold weather. I like to get out my boots and heavy coat, wearing things like that are just cozy and fun. I skied over break but even Mt. Brighton closed on Tuesday; it was way too cold for anybody to be out.”

Junior A.J. Firsht is one of the brave ones who went outside, plus admits to having too much time he didn’t know what to do with. For him, he had work to keep him occupied.

“I had to work all break. I did some wrestling, but a lot of work,” Firsht says. “I got extremely bored. I don’t know, it seems like it was longer than it was.”

So with this, most were ready to go back to school, leaving only one snow day left for the school year without having to make-up time. Because of mini-mountains of snow piling up, some hope to not have to bear anymore.

“If we had one snow day in the middle of February or March I wouldn’t mind it,” Firsht says. “But I would rather just have the snow stop.”