Breaking from the usual winter routine

It was not the typical month of February for Hewlett High School students this year. In the past, there was a week-long hiatus from school that included a day to celebrate two former U.S. presidents. This year, Hewlett students had only a three-day break from school long weekend due to the days lost because of Hurricane Sandy and a November nor’easter. Many Hewlett students’ families changed their initial plans for that vacation week by abridging their vacations, or deciding to cancel them completely. But some did maintain their original arrangements and vacationed in warm places.

A group of 16 Hewlett juniors and seniors had the privilege of traveling to the Galapagos Islands for that week in February. All trip participants agreed that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity as they snorkeled and learned about Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.

Despite the lack of vacation time, February was still a busy and exciting time for Hewlett students. The Hewlett Theater Company produced “Done to Death” earlier in the month. All who saw it were impressed. Also, the Youth Leadership Forum convened at the Woodmere Education Center despite the inclement weather on Feb. 8. Various topics were addressed, ranging from the imminent Memorial Day Parade in town to the community garden. All-District Orchestra night took place on Feb. 26. The concert included musical ensembles from schools throughout the district. The Wind Ensemble is diligently rehearsing for its performance at Carnegie Hall in April.

The last week of February was perhaps the most exciting and fun because it was “Spirit Week Number Two.” March 1 was the annual Sports Night event and the days leading up to it encouraged a sense of spirit and camaraderie as students dressed up in unique outfits. Spirit week consisted of ‘Merican Monday, Twin Tuesday, Blackout Day on Wednesday, Throwback Thursday, and Theme Day on Friday. Taking pictures with friends and giving and receiving compliments on others’ silly and spunky outfits were especially memorable experiences.

Sports Night is held to honor Adam Barsel, a student who attended Hewlett High. He died in a car accident in 2000. The funds collected from the event benefit both the Adam Barsel Scholarship Fund and the Student Council treasury. Sports Night consists of various games and activities, including basketball, relays, and an academic bowl. Art and music are also incorporated into the event as each grade designs a banner and choreographs a dance that relates to the grade’s respective theme. The freshmen’s theme was Disney; the sophomore’s theme was weather; the juniors’ theme was ESPN; and the seniors’ theme was Animal Planet. The junior class won Sports Night. My senior classmates and I, however, will still be able to say that we had an awesome Spirit Week as we showed our creative sides and Hewlett spirit.

In addition, three of my peers and I participated in the Stony Brook University Junior Science and Humanities Symposium on March 1. Three of us presented our social science research projects to a panel of judges and other student researchers, while another presented her winning life sciences research project. I congratulate Daphne Superville for taking overall third place! We were all thrilled to have been representing Hewlett High at this regional competition.

February was certainly a hectic time and the start of March has certainly been no different. But before we know it, the actually week-long March vacation will be here too.