Student Outlook -- Gracie Kazer

The days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer, which

should be enough to convince anyone that summer is well on its way.

However, there are other signs of this seasonal phenomenon that can be

found almost everywhere. In schools, the Advanced Placement exams are

well on their way and final projects are being quickly anticipated.

All around Newport Beach, tourists from anywhere inland to across the

country have begun to spring up, causing increasing traffic and crowds.

And, most importantly, the extremely eager fans awaiting the premiere of

“Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones” have begun their camp-out in

front of Big Newport.

While some of these examples may seem less important than others, they

are all very similar in the way that they contribute to make the summer

both official and different.

There is little doubt that the summer is most well-known for being the

standard three-month vacation for students of all levels. With less than

one quarter’s worth of academic study left in the 2001-2002 school year,

students of all ages begin the restless, yet enthusiastic countdown until

late June. For many high school scholars, the last few weeks have been a

frenzied mess of last-minute Advanced Placement study sessions, as the

exams are to be completed at the end of this week.

The end of those exams result in a brief amount of free time, which

ends all too quickly, transforming into a period of anxiety concerning

finals and, for seniors, the dreaded senior project.

While all of these requirements and demands remain stressful, students

are aware that their mere existence indicates the introduction of the

school year’s end. The mental picture of summer vacation proves to be a

strong motivating force in students’ final attempts to remain

academically focused.

Southern California is known for its massive population and gruesome

traffic conditions. The Newport Beach area is no different and due to the

desirable location, tourism has remained a major source of income as well

as somewhat of a summer tradition. While it seems that crowds, long

waits, and rush hour traffic are yearlong problems, the summertime seems

to make each of them greater and more unbearable.

Along with the pleasant waves and weather comes overfilled parking

lots and a number of temperamental vacationing families. The slowly

increasing number of tourists is a sure sign that summer has arrived.

The summer season is a special time that cannot be compared to any

other. It has a more relaxed pace than the rest of the year, and gives

everyone a chance to enjoy their time off and gear up for whatever comes

up next.

Even in mid-May, there are signs of this upcoming season at schools

and all over the Orange Country area.

However, the clearest sign of summer’s arrival will be when Anakin

Skywalker and Queen Amidala hit the screens and kick off the manic film

season.

* GRACIE KAZER is a Corona del Mar High School senior whose columns

will appear occasionally in the Community Forum section.