Spring is the season with many mixed feelings and perspectives. Many students like how spring welcomes vivid blooming flowers with bright, yet breezy days. Other students dislike the season’s effect on their immune systems, caused by the peak production of pollen and Vitamin D in late March to April.
When thinking about Spring, some students think of energizing sunny weather, beautiful blooming flowers, and the fun Easter Bunny. Senior, Clarizze Ferrer, expresses her liking of plants being brought back to life. “Spring is a really cool season. It’s my birthday. I love how the flowers bloom and how everything is green now.” Longer days mean more sun which makes people feel more energetic. Senior, Jessica McKinney noticed, “Overall I feel better when the weather is warmer, even though I have allergies.” Spring also makes English teacher, Mr. David Magallon, feel happier and more energized. “Last week when there was bright sun out, I was like ‘Wow, I genuinely feel happier and more energetic.’” He also noticed how spring brings anticipation for Spring Break and the end of the school year. “Seeing the general temperament of everybody, people seem to be happier in terms of their disposition. People like spring, but I don’t think they like the implications that Spring brings for the rest of the year.” Spring is a bright and lively season, so what’s the downside of Springtime?
Heavy breezes that carry heaps of pollen and swarms of bugs affect many students with allergies. People’s immune systems mistakenly identify pollen as a harmful substance or cannot handle the surplus of the sun’s Vitamin D. As a result, many people have runny noses, itchy eyes, and dizziness. One senior, Nya Shabazz, has always hated the “invasive, irritating, pungent, and malicious” season. With a sensitive immune system, spring allergies take a toll on Nya’s day. “It just affects me really badly, and that’s why I really hate the spring compared to the other seasons. My eyes will get so irritated, I’ll wake up and I won’t be able to open them because they’re so irritated and crusty.” However, Mr. Magallon believes the flu and lack of academic motivation is affecting student performance rather than student allergies. “I haven’t seen allergies act up, but I’ve seen a lot of students miss school because they’re sick. I don’t know if it’s because allergies are that bad, or it’s because it’s remnants of the flu and whatever COVID variants are going on right now.” Mr. Magallon expresses his experience of seeing his mom and girlfriend dealing with allergies and interfering with their lives. “My girlfriend is mostly affected by [allergies], so it limits our outside activities that we can do. […] Allergies are no joke, they can genuinely ruin someone’s day. […] [My mom] has allergies during spring, summer, and fall, so three-quarters of the year, she’s constantly tired. If you are not allergic to spring allergies, you should be very thankful because you get to enjoy the outside world.” Annoying allergies are a deal breaker for many students despite the lively environment.
