You feel your toes sink into the sand. There’s a cool ocean breeze as you set up your beach chair, turn on the Bluetooth speaker and finally relax on your long awaited spring break vacation. You’re so full of bliss that you feel weightless, like you’re sitting on top of a cloud. As your skin happily soaks up the sun, a content smile spreads across your face. All of a sudden, bird poop falls from out of nowhere, landing on your arm. That is how fast things can turn unsafe when you’re not paying attention on vacation.
Principal Dr. Seth Harrell said he always brings his kids with him on vacation. He said it is necessary for people to be aware of their surroundings while on vacation because you never know when an event can turn tragic.
“Oftentimes, everybody wants to party and have fun, but at the end of the day, our lives and safety [are] extremely important, and you need to be thinking about those things,” Harrell said. “Unfortunately, people don’t think about it. [They don’t] pay attention, and then something bad happens.”
Harrell often says on the morning announcements that students should tell their family and friends that they love them and to always wear their seatbelt. He said this recommendation applies all year long, including during spring break.
“You never know when it’s going to be somebody’s last day, and as a principal, that’s the worst thing you ever go through,” Harrell said. “You never want to lose a student, especially in a tragedy or an accident. You never know when something may occur, and that’s why it’s so important to be as safe as you can.”
Officer Gregory Burke, KHS resource officer, said he had a great time during his teenage spring breaks. However, he advises teenagers to balance fun with safety during their vacations.
“Spring break and drinking or substances go hand in hand; kids want to go out and party,” Burke said. “Keep an eye on your drink, don’t take stuff from people [and] don’t go wandering by yourself with people you don’t know.”
Burke said he wants to make sure students make the right choices over spring break. Both Burke and Harrell said they do not condone underage drinking or drug use.
“I [would] make [students] aware of the dangers that are involved with unsafe behaviors,” Burke said. “There are lasting consequences to whatever [unsafe] decision you’re going to make.”
Graham Sperato, senior, said his mom is organizing the senior spring break trip to Cancun this year. Sperato said his mom is a travel director, and has helped organize the trip for 125 students. Sperato said since the trip is not KHS affiliated, there is no specific set of rules students have to follow other than the ones parents set.
“Safety wise, you should stick in groups, don’t be stupid and don’t do things that hurt yourself or others,” Sperato said. “Watch what you put in your body, don’t leave your drinks or food unattended and have someone by your side.”
Sperato said even with the recent Mexican cartel scares and local unrest, the senior spring break trip is still on. He said he recommends attendees to think about the outcomes of the activities they’re participating in during the trip.
“I’d probably say the biggest thing is think before you act,” Sperato said. “Have fun, obviously, but be careful and be safe.”
