Spring Break means that it is often time to travel. This Spring Break, use these packing hacks to fit all the essentials in your bag.

The first hack is wearing the bulkiest clothes, including the biggest pair of shoes. The plane ride is normally cold so wearing the warmest clothes should not be an issue. This also allows so much more space in the suitcase for other stuff.

Another hack is buying packing cubes to store clothes. These can keep outfits organized and folded neatly. People can also use a vacuum to remove extra air so it creates more room in the suitcase.

Something else that is especially important is planning outfits. Not planning out exactly what is being worn each day can lead to lots of overpacking. It could also lead to forgetting something necessary at home.

Remembering your destination and researching the culture and what they wear is important, especially if your trip is out of the US or if you are thinking about going to religious sites while you are visiting. It is also important to research the weather, so you are not out looking for a poncho in the middle of a storm.

-Addy Chalmers

Spring Break is a time to enjoy the nice weather and have a break from school with friends and family.

A lot of people wonder what to do with the time they have over Spring Break, and for John Carroll we have 10 days to enjoy this.

Lots of people want to make the most of this time that they have, so here is the best way to spend your spring break.

While some people may take trips to places like Florida, or somewhere out of the country, Ocean City or Bethany Beach are also great places to try.

There are many fun places to go and attractions such as shops, games, and nice restaurants that are very family-oriented.

Not only do they have good shops and restaurants, but they also provide many other events to go to around this time like amusement parks, concerts, and live shows.

Spring Break is an especially good time to go since it is technically the off season and will not be as crowded as it is in the summer.

People can book a place to stay at or even go up for one day since it is only around a two-and-a-half-hour trip.

 – Elizabeth Balint

While Spring Break starts later today, many are scheduling and figuring out their plans for the time off. Lots of people use this time to travel and take a little vacation to escape the stress and normal routines.

Some families who do not travel or have other commitments to where they are staying home might be wondering what is there to do over break.

The town of Bel Air has its annual Kite Festival in Rockfield Park (which is located right next to the school) from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 with a rain date of Sunday, April 14.

This festival is sponsored by APGFCU Bank. It is an activity that is fun for people of all ages. It is also a time to connect with the community and meet new people. There will be free kites provided along with music and food trucks.

Some other things happening in Bel Air are spring dance lessons starting on Monday, April 1, and continuing every Monday until May 6. The classes are an hour long and cost $80 per person. The lessons will be held at the Bel Air Armory with an instructor who is a ballroom dancer and a dance choreographer.

– Faith Menefee

Over Spring Break, people are looking for places to go out and eat, so here are some suggestions for ice cream places people can visit if they want a treat.

Broom’s Bloom is 4.7 miles from John Carroll and a good option to visit over Spring Break. They offer a variety of homemade ice cream flavors. The Broom’s Bloom menu also includes lunch and dinner options. The restaurant is large and spacious with both indoor and outdoor seating arrangements, making it both pet and kid friendly. Their outside area also gives the customer a view of their farm.

Another local ice cream place is Jarrettsville Creamery. They also produce their ice cream in-store and offer lunch and dinner. Their store is 10.9 miles from JC. They have a smaller dining area, but they also offer ice cream cakes that can be customized for any occasion.

One final option to visit for ice cream over Spring Break is the Frosted Rooster. It is owned by and located next to Vagabond Sandwich Company which is 1.3 miles away from school. This ice cream store had its grand opening last month and is known for their ice cream sandwiches. It is a convenient stop after lunch or dinner in Bel Air.

– Addie Biscoe

Some students may decide to spend Spring Break playing sports, visiting colleges, or going to a water park.  However, if possible, a family may decide to drive up and down the coast.

A road trip can bring about tons of memorable moments with friends and family such as seeing new sites around the country, talking in the car, and taking pictures. Even just taking the trip and doing something different can be memorable.

That being said, people would need to do a lot of planning to get the trip started. Planning things such as destinations, who is going, and food are all keys to having a successful road trip.

Students would also need to be very responsible while on the trip. They should not be drinking; they should drive safely, and most of all they should not be reckless, because that could cause serious problems later down the line while they are on the trip.

Overall, many people want to do something different for their spring break, and a road trip is the best ticket to fun.

– Nathan McClung

Spring Break begins at dismissal today and will extend for 10 days.  Spring Break is a great time to go on college tours.

          Whether you’re a senior who has already been accepted into colleges and trying to make the final decision, a junior trying to decide where to apply, or a freshman or sophomore starting early, going on college tours over Spring Break is a great way to spend your time.

          Touring a school in person is much more beneficial than looking at the school virtually. Being on the campus and seeing students in classes can give you a better idea of what life would look like at that school.

          Going to look at colleges doesn’t have to be just a couple of hours. If you’re looking at schools further away, take a little vacation. Spend time in the city or town around the campus to experience the atmosphere surrounding the school. Stay after the tour and attend a sporting event or show at the school to get a feel for student life and school spirit.

          Use your free time over Spring Break to go tour colleges and get to look at what life will look like after high school.

– Caroline Bomboy

As the days get warmer, so can your oven.

When many people think of Spring Break, the first thing to come to mind is vacation. However, for many, this is not a possibility. People are crammed with work and sports these days. There is also the hefty price tag of going on a vacation.

One thing you can do to keep you busy during Spring Break is to bake. From bread to cookies to pastries, the possibilities are endless.

Baking is very customizable to situations. Recipes can be easy or hard, depending on your level of expertise or long or short depending on how much time you have to fill within your schedule. Baking is very inexpensive, and most ingredients can already be found in a common household.

Baking also comes with a reward. By baking your treat, you get the delicious satisfaction of enjoying whatever you made afterward.

With the treat, also comes the smell of freshly-baked goods that fills your home, which is simply the best.

Besides the reward, there are countless benefits of baking. It helps to reduce stress and improve cognitive functions and muscle memory. By baking, you can unlock creativity as well. The world of baking has infinite possibilities and can range in flavors, shapes, colors, and types.  – Ella Campbell

Spring Break may be used to regroup and refocus.

You want to be able to enjoy yourself and relax on Spring Break. However, everything going on in the world around you like school, sports, friends, and family makes that hard.

Beneficial ways to help reset would be to plan out your day and include journaling, going on a nice wellness walk, and taking each day one moment at a time.

Another thing that will help is reconnecting with your family. With always being at school, doing extracurricular activities, and loads of homework, we do not get to be with our families a lot.

Spring Break allows us to reconnect and become closer with them, and that will help relieve a lot of your stress and problems you may going through.

Lastly, Spring Break gives us a huge change to connect with our religion. The whole reason we celebrate Easter is because Jesus died for us and was resurrected. Finding your connection to religion again will really help you find eternal happiness and peace.

These are just a few things you could do. Everyone needs a good mental health reset.

– Grace Marchetti