Springtime is associated with a variety of elements, such as the glistening sun, blooming flowers, or the sweet smell of tall grass. Additionally, this joyous season influences a variety of emotions and interests to students at Armijo High. From mixed feelings about the fluctuating weather to re-introduced hobbies, everyone seems to have their own unique experiences with the season of spring. Armijo High senior Princessa Silva and junior Fatima Orozco are just two examples of how spring influences creativity and reflection.
In Armijo senior Princessa Silva’s opinion, spring is a season that can wash the worries out of someone’s hair. “I feel hopeful,” she shared. “Especially being in IB, it’s definitely a lot, especially with all the IAs and just completing the EE and all that. It’s definitely a lot, but with the flowers that you see there’s some hopefulness.” In an interview she also admits that although she appreciates the blossoming flowers, the weather isn’t her favorite. “I don’t really like the weather in spring. I feel like it has a mixture of cold and hot, and it’s pretty bipolar. I don’t like that. I think I prefer hotter weather in the spring because it builds up my dopamine. I just feel happier in general.”
Princessa finds comfort in artistic hobbies such as crocheting, drawing, and recently, ceramics. “I like to do these activities because it gives me the opportunity to express art with my hands. I also enjoy making stuff for my friends and family.” Her interest in crocheting began during quarantine in 2020, when she picked it up out of boredom. However, ceramics were a new discovery this year. Princessa explains, “I actually was introduced to ceramics this year because I needed to take another class and I ended up choosing ceramics, which is something I have been enjoying.”
As the vice president of Stitcher’s Club at Armijo High, Princessa is helping prepare for the club’s annual crochet rose sale in the weeks leading up to prom. Springtime also has an influence on ideas for the future, too. “Maybe gardening? My brother was really into gardening, growing peppers and all that and maybe in the future, I’ll have my own farm, have my own chickens,” she said. When asked if she could grow anything in her garden, “Potatoes. There is SO MUCH you can make with potatoes!”
As a senior, Princessa is savoring the season since her time at Armijo is almost up. “I want to enjoy high school. I’m a senior, so I have a limited amount of time that I have here. And so I want to prepare for college, and I just want to enjoy and cherish every moment I have and have fun.” She is especially excited about prom and graduation. “Very excited. I have senioritis right now.”
While seniors are experiencing the bittersweet end of their high school years, juniors like one Armijo student, Fatima Orozco, are enjoying the calm moments spring has to offer. “When I think of spring I think of warmth, flowers, and growth,” she said. “It makes me feel peaceful, like when I sit outside and the warm sunlight hits my face, it’s a great feeling.”
Her favorite hobbies include reading, drawing, listening to music, and binge-watching her favorite shows such as The Vampire Diaries and Supergirl. While spring doesn’t influence new interests for her, it encourages her to enjoy them in a different, fresh setting. “It does make me go outside more to read since it’s not hot or too cold during spring,” she shares. The season of spring also prompts new goals and aspirations for Fatima. “I hope that this spring I’ll spend less time on my electronics, go running, or just be outside in general.”
With spring break is around the corner, Fatima is really looking forward to it so she can enjoy the things she cherishes. “I’m excited for spring break so I can read some new books and binge-watch my favorite TV shows,” she shared. “Since I’m a junior now, I’m really looking forward to these upcoming breaks so I can relax from school and not worry about any assignments or anything major that would stress me out.”
Around the Armijo campus, the spring season is bustling with activities that students actively participate in. Armijo students are busy with sports like tennis, badminton, track and field, softball, baseball, golf, swimming, and the newly added boys volleyball. For some, spring means sunshine, Easter, spring break, and longer days. For others, it brings pollen, seasonal allergies, upcoming finals, and for a few, the pressures of IB testing. Regardless, spring is a time of emotion and change.
Whether it’s seniors reminiscing on their final months at high school, juniors enjoying a peaceful read outside, athletes competing in spring sports, or others simply battling through the season’s allergies and exams, spring has a profound effect on everyone. Like Princessa enthusiastically shared, “Flowers are pretty, so they make me happy.”
