Summer plans inspire student growth

By Josh Gipson

News Reporter

As the summer approaches at Crete Monee High School, both the students and faculty begin expressing their plans for the upcoming season.

Students leave for the busses on May 18, just a couple of weeks before school lets out for the summer. Photo by Ontarrio Randle.

Among the many students preparing for summer is Jayla Nailer, a junior who looks forward to taking a step back and reflecting.

 "I'm hoping that I will be able to have some downtime while continuing my personal development,” Nailer said. 

She usually spends her summers socializing and enjoying her late-night freedom. However, she hopes to use the summer of 2026 to develop greater organizational skills and possibly land a job. Therefore, rather than merely being concerned with free time, she wishes to improve her ways to manage her time and take advantage of opportunities, and to develop herself.

Additionally, Jayla expressed her desire to find a balance between relaxation and activity in order to avoid wasting her summer. 

"I hope that I'll be able to focus on my relaxation as well as do some productive things," she said.

Ericka Walker also revealed that she was excited to relax, but she also hoped to remain busy through the summer. 

“What I am most excited about is taking some time to recharge and not have anything due,” Walker said. 

Additionally, Ericka revealed her intentions to use the holiday period to get some money. It appears from this statement that the students were making attempts to achieve a balance between leisure and responsibility so that they could prepare for the new academic year.

Ericka went further and revealed that she could be traveling somewhere close for a change of environment. 

“I might go somewhere nearby just to get a different scenery,” she said. 

This shows how even small trips can make a difference in how students experience their summer and help them feel refreshed.

Student Kennedy Joseph shared similar thoughts about wanting a break from school routines while also improving her lifestyle. 

“I’m excited to finally have a break from school routines,” Kennedy said. 

She explained that even though she usually spends her summers just hanging out, this year she wants to set goals and begin to be more intentional with her time. This shows that students are starting to think more about their future and how even summer can be used for growth.

Kennedy also mentioned that she is considering volunteering as a way to spend her time. 

“I’m thinking about volunteering because I want to help others,” Joseph said. 

This highlights how some students are not only focused on themselves but also on giving back to their community, which can help them gain new experiences and perspectives on themselves.

Just like students, staff members like Mr. Foote have plans for the summer that focus on both resting and being productive. 

“I’m most looking forward to having time to recharge and reflect after the school year,” Mr. Foote said. 

He explained that while he plans to relax, he also wants to prepare for the next school year by improving his lessons and maybe attending workshops. This shows that even teachers use their summer to grow and improve themselves and their careers.

Mr. Foote also emphasized the importance of balance during the summer.

 “I want a balance between relaxing and staying productive,” he said. 

His perspective is similar to that of many students, showing that both students and teachers value using their time wisely while still enjoying their summer break.

Another student, Victoria Santiago, said that she is looking forward to having less stress and more free time. 

“I plan to focus on hobbies and spending time with people I care about,” Victoria said. 

She explained that although she usually spends her summers relaxing, this year she wanted to stay more active and possibly get a part-time job. Her words show that students are really motivated to improve themselves while still enjoying their summer.

Victoria mentioned wanting to get more organized before the next school year begins. 

“I want to accomplish becoming more organized,” she said.

This shows a common theme among students: using the summer as a time to reset and prepare for future success.

Ericka shared a similar idea; she said that she wants her summer to feel fun but also really meaningful. This shows that students are not just thinking about short-term enjoyment, but also about how their choices will affect them later in life. Having a mix of fun and responsibility seems to be a common goal among many students this school year.

As more students continue to share their plans, it starts to get clearer that summer is not just about taking a break but also about finding new opportunities to grow, explore, and prepare for what comes next.