Winter break has arrived, and students from Chapin and Austin are preparing to spend the next few weeks away from school. For juniors like Izayah Green from Chapin, Diego Calamaco from Austin, and Eduardo Gurrola from Austin, the break means travel, family, and a chance to focus on personal goals.

Izayah Green is leaving Chapin permanently to move with his family to Georgia due to military orders. He says the move is exciting but also nerve-wracking. “It’s a little scary knowing I won’t be coming back here,” Green said. “I’m going to miss my friends, my teachers, and just being at school every day. But I know this is a big step for my family, and I want to make the most of my last few weeks here.”

Diego Calamaco is traveling to Juarez to celebrate the holidays with his family. He plans to help cook traditional meals, decorate, and catch up with relatives he hasn’t seen in a while. “Spending the holidays with family is really important,” Calamaco said. “It’s a chance to take a break from school and enjoy time with everyone at home.”

Eduardo Gurrola, on the other hand, is staying in Austin but using the break to focus on basketball. As a dedicated player, he plans to attend practices, work on conditioning, and stay prepared for the upcoming season. “Even though everyone else is traveling, I want to keep improving and make sure I’m ready for games next semester,” Gurrola said.

For many students, winter break is a time to travel, reconnect with family, and recharge before the spring semester. While more Austin students are going out of town, many Chapin students, like Green, are preparing for big life changes or heading somewhere new for family or other reasons.

Winter break also gives students time to reflect and prepare for what comes next. Whether it’s traveling, focusing on sports, or moving to a new place, students from Chapin and Austin are making the most of their time off before school starts again.