2020 was definitely an unusual year (to put it mildly) and most of us are glad to see it coming to an end. In its final months, the city is usually bustling with events and get-togethers, but there was a lot more staying indoors than usual this year. Despite disrupted plans, students and staff at Curtis still welcomed the long-awaited week off.

Keanu Bantegui, a junior, told us that while his break was simpler compared to other years, he still enjoyed using the time to chill out. “It was okay but it would have been nice if it were a little longer. I spent most of it resting by playing video games, mostly Zelda: Breath of the Wild. There’s usually a big family party on Christmas Eve, but it couldn’t be held this year so we just had a very simple celebration at home.” Ms. Kenny-Jones, a music teacher at Curtis, also talked to us about her own break, filled with binge-worthy shows and fun activities. “Typically we see a lot of friends and family, but instead my husband and I shared a quiet Christmas at home, just the two of us and our two cats. Also, I usually get to perform live at different venues over the holiday break, especially on New Year’s Eve but I wasn’t able to do it this year,” she said. “A part of me missed it, but the other part of me was grateful for a real chance to recharge. It was a hectic 2020, and resting was the right move for me. I watched a lot of The Great British Baking Show on Netflix, and recorded some original music!”

        Diana Rodriguez, a senior, felt pretty satisfied with her week off. “My break was just a time where I was able to sit back and rest. It may not seem like it, but many of us are overwhelmed, especially us seniors,” she said. “I didn’t get to spend the holidays with all my family, but the good thing is that we ended another year with full health. I do guess better times are to come!”  Mrs. Zatoren, a math teacher, also appreciated the time off to engage in hobbies and actually learned something new (and exciting!) along the way. “I would say it was different because I was not around as many people as I normally would. I spent the holidays with immediate family only and even after the holidays I rushed to get tested,” she explained. “I spent most of my time doing things I enjoy like reading, catching up on TV shows, and taking my dog on long walks. The best part of my break was doing a gender reveal on Christmas with my family. I found out I am having a boy!”

        2020 was definitely one of the most taxing years in recent history and the break, however unusual, was still a welcome time to recharge for the new year. With a new year, many hope that 2021 will bring back some semblance of normalcy that Curtis High School and New York City have sorely missed. In the meantime though, Warriors continue to make the best out of their unorthodox situations.