Marblehead’s Annual Rainy Carnival by Teagan Freedman, Sophomore
Last weekend was the annual Marblehead carnival, May 8 to May 11th. The event, a fundraiser for the high school’s junior class, brought out families, teens, and longtime residents. Despite starting with rain like many past years, we were lucky enough for it to end later Saturday, with enough time for the kids to attend. This year, rides were set closer together than in the past, giving the space a more cramped feel and creating longer waits for popular attractions. My favorite ride, and by the length of the line, many others, resembles hang gliding. You may have a skyward view of the ocean and the sun’s golden reflection if you go during sunset. This fundraiser is a fun way to welcome spring and the ever-nearing summer break. The bright neon lights and children’s laughter transform the quiet parking lot into a place of memories. Growing up in Marblehead, I’m sure many have been attending since they were children. The carnival not only brings smiles, excitement, and fried food, but it also brings forgotten memories and childish smiles. The creaky Ferris wheel, enthusiastic game attendants, and overly sweet scent are all what some may call imperfections or frustrating. I believe that for three days, these “imperfections” all just add to the excitement of the small town carnival that all can attend. Carnivals have been around for years, longer even than drive-in theaters. While only a limited number of drive-in movies are still around and not widely used or known, traveling carnivals are widely known, even in younger generations. Having an annual carnival is a unique privilege that residents of all generations can enjoy.
Here Comes Summer by Evan Eisan, Junior
With Memorial day (the official start of summer) less than a week away many are wondering what it is they do this summer. Of course, the idea of two full months of no school may seem like the time to completely kick back; it can also be a time to still be somewhat productive.
Some choose to work a summer job like at some fancy country club like the Corinthian or Tedesco. Others also work busing and waiting on tables at local restaurants who tend to make good money as people tend to go out more during this time. If you would like to see some more action you could sign up to be a lifeguard at a nearby beach or pool area like Devereux Beach or work as a counselor at a camp if you’re willing to work with little troublemaking kids all day. Or if you’re looking for some more part time work maybe go around the neighborhood and see which of your neighbors needs their car cleaned or have their lawn mowed.
If a job is out of the realm of possibility for you then consider doing a summer class at a college or university. Many institutions offer summer courses which allow eager students to expand on their knowledge while learning new life skills in the process. Schools offer a range of classes from your standard history and other three main courses to classes like exploring the culinary arts or further study the art of engineering. All these classes are of course at a college level and are not exactly the regular high school classes that many of us have become familiar with. Though in my own experience of taking these types of classes I found them to be surprisingly much easier and less time consuming to do than the classes I take at Marblehead High.
If neither of those options really seem appealing to you then perhaps consider participating in some community service work. There are many opportunities in Marblehead that anyone can take part in. You could help cleanup public parks and beaches while enjoying the nice weather. There are also local food pantries like the Marblehead and Salem food pantries that offer a wide range of foods and other necessities to those less fortunate. Maybe you and some others could hang out with some younger kids where you have fun doing activities like playing ball together.
In the end, there are an endless number of possibilities of how you want to spend your summer. You could choose to do one of or all three of these suggestions in order to feel at least a little pro active during this extended hiatus. Of course there is always the option of just going away to some exotic island for most of the summer where you learn about foreign culture and ways of life. There will be some who will spend most of their time laying on the beach trying to get a nice tan or because they just like it. To each their own, nothing says summer like a nice sunburn which makes you look like a cherry tomato.