June 9, 2025 by Olivia Howe (‘26)
As the final days of school are upon us, NYS Regents tests begin, and our 2024-2025 school year comes to an end, students and families across Saratoga Springs are already preparing for summer break, from backyard cookouts to traveling abroad. But we aren’t alone in making these preparations for our deserved time off; students around the world also celebrate this time of year in unique and festive ways.
Students in Italy finish their school year in early June, like us, and either hang out with friends, head to the coastal beaches with their families, or host long outdoor feasts with delicious foods. Some students graduating universities with degrees or Ph.D. ‘s often don leaf wreaths, a custom going back to Ancient Greek times. In Sweden, students attend ceremonies wearing all-white outfits. Graduating students wear sea-captain style hats and sing along to traditional songs with family and friends as they leave their schools. Japanese schools end in late March, when they celebrate with a formal ceremony and thank their teachers. Brazilian students celebrate their “summer” break from December to February, as their break lines up with the southern hemisphere’s warmer months. As they go back to school students in South Korea leave theirs, as South Korea ends its school year during this “winter” season. Schools in Thailand go through multiple days of graduation rehearsals for their upperclassmen, making the most out of their preparation because members of the royal family hand out their diplomas!
Coming back to Saratoga Springs, we have lots of fun ways to celebrate our vacation time. Go swimming at the Saratoga Spa State Park in the Peerless Pool, walk (or shop!) up and down Broadway, grab ice cream at several local parlors including Ben & Jerry’s, Kilwins, Menchie’s, or the Dairy Haüs, or visit the weekly Saratoga Farmers Market at High Rock Park on Saturdays and Wednesdays . If you are looking for more of a thrill, go see the horse races at the Saratoga Race Course, watch a concert at SPAC, or spend a day hiking in the Adirondack Mountains (where you are sure to see a breathtaking view).
As we depart from school and say goodbye to some friends or teachers, let’s welcome everything summer has to offer us, from our hometown to countries across the globe. Happy summer everyone!