Over winter break, many students spent their time off abroad or traveling to experience more cultures and iconic sites. Some countries visited by highlanders included France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Mexico, and even parts of our own country. The time between December 22 and January 10, considered winter break, was more than enough for many to catch flights, trains, and buses. Some students stayed closer to our town and worked, or traveled on road trips. They still got the opportunity to see new things in other parts of our state and country.

Not all students went abroad over break. Some of these students staying close visited places to participate in sports or other outdoor activities. One highlander went to Ventura to go surfing during break while others went to beach towns like Santa Barbara. Additionally, multiple students went up to cities like Big Bear and Mammoth to snowboard.  A couple of other local places visited by our students, specifically to shop, included Anaheim, the Westfield Topanga Mall, and Mainstreet in Ventura. Also, our athletes continued to have games and practices, some even located at Rio Mesa and Buena High schools. Senior Serena Polio went to San Francisco and hung out with friends and family for her New Year’s weekend. Polio stated, “We went to pretty gardens and tried new food.” Polio also said, “We got to visit the Golden Gate Bridge,” and “The views were gorgeous.” Her stay in San Francisco lasted about five days. Other students who stayed in Simi Valley for the break participated in house sitting, watching Netflix, hanging out with friends, working on their cars, sleeping, working, and attending concerts like the Jonas Brothers. Overall, students were able to find local, but fun things to take up their free time off of school.  

A few scholars traveled to other parts of the country and even the world to celebrate the holiday break. One highlander went to Idaho and stayed at their family’s lake house. They also admitted through google forms to going snowboarding while on their out of state vacation. Another student source went to Arizona to spend time with their family for the holidays. Another surveyed highlander replied that they traveled to Costa Rica with their family. Then, they continued their trip and went to Mexico to celebrate a quinceanera.

Senior Yumnah Shoaib used her winter break to visit Paris, the capital of France, with her sister. She visited Auvers sur-Oise, which is a famous commune outside of Paris where many artists such as Vincient Van Gogh stayed. She was able to actually visit Van Gogh’s town too, and where he was buried. Shoaib stated, “He actually spent his last 80 days,” in the town she visited. She also stayed in the city of Lyon in France which is well known for renaissance architecture, medieval designs, and covered passageways between buildings. Her trip lasted about two weeks in total.  Shoaib also mentioned, “I got to see the New Year’s fireworks at the Arc De Triomphe,” which is the famous archway Paris is known for.

Senior Dalilah Recinos also traveled out of the country during break. She traveled to Ciudad Obregon and Sonora in Mexico with her mom. They visited family and celebrated the new year with them. Recinos stated, “There’s an alleyway that got rebuilt and painted beautifully by talented artists.” Her vacation lasted from December 28 through January 9. Other highlanders went to other countries in Europe like Italy, Germany, and Austria.