As a year defined by “unprecedented times” and “the new normal” came to an end, students set off 2021 with something familiar—celebrations. Though many things in 2020 were different than previous years, some Hawks still chose to continue long-running traditions that are observed annually by their families.

     Junior, Ondrea Woodward, tends to spend Jan. 31 having quality time with her family and occasionally her friends. She explained, “we like to sit down, have a glass of champagne together, and play a board game,” Woodward then added, “instead of sitting in front of the TV watching for the ball, we hangout and have sort of a family night, whether we have friends over or not.”

     Similarly, sophomore, Sophia Shull, spends the holiday with her family, and “sometimes [she] invites friends over.” Shull’s tradition consists of having “steak and lobster for dinner and then watching the ball drop at 12.” Shull continued, “then we go outside and pull those popper things that spray a bunch of confetti.” She noted that her parents make them clean it up afterward.

     While Woodward decided that her favorite part of the evening is usually “playing board games because it’s fun and [she] gets to spend with [her] family,” Shull enjoys “watching the ball drop with [her] friends and family” because she feels like that part is “always fun.”

     Shull also mentioned that the food is an enjoyable part as well. While describing it she said “everything is grilled” and stated, “I love the steak because it’s always cooked so well.” Woodward’s family usually has a variety of finger foods like “cheese and crackers and mini hotdogs.” She recalled, “one good thing my mom makes every year is crab dip.”

     To kill the time before midnight, Shull mentioned that her family “plays a bunch of music, takes family photos together, and watches any movies that are on TV that night to try and stay awake.” Woodward stated that staying awake “isn’t an issue for me.” Instead, she explained that “for the past few years [they] started playing Cards Against Humanity, but if there are younger kids, [they’ll] play Apples to Apples.”

     Both students mentioned that they’ve had their traditions for “as long as [they] can remember” but they like them anyway. Woodward stated, “it gives me more time to spend time with my family when they’re not distracted with work, and when I’m not distracted with school.” Shull “doesn’t mind” that her traditions “stay the same” but she pointed out that she might “like to go out with [her] friends more.” 

     After a year filled with uncertainties, these traditions helped both girls end the year on a positive note. Woodward appreciated that she “got to see [her] friends and it gave [her] a stress-break from school,” emphasizing that she was able to “get [her] mind off of homework for once.” Shull felt relieved, stating “I’m finally leaving 2020 behind. And that’s a great feeling since it’s been a very difficult year for everyone.”