CABIN FEVER

Wwith his face filled with shaving cream, freshman Miguel Di Mise celebrated his last moment as a camper. In June, Di Mise went to Camp La Llanada in Polk County, Florida for the fourth year in a row. Since he recently turned 15, this would be his last time at the camp as a camper, but he planned on returning as a camp counselor in the future.

“I have a lot in common with the people who go to this camp. Everyone goes back and plans to go at the same time so we can see one another every summer,” Di Mise said.

Similarly, many students returned to their favorite camping grounds, but took the liberty of leaving the state. For junior

Shayna Karmin this meant going back to Camp Timber Tops in Pennsylvania for the seventh year in a row.

“It is tradition for me to stay there for seven weeks, and I have met some of my closet friends there over the years,’ Karim said.

Junior Connor Schulz attended Outward Bound, a co-ed camp, in the Colorado Rockies for the first time. Initially, he felt hesitant being that this was his first time at a sleep-away camp, but his experience went better than he hoped.

“I had the opportunity to meet a lot of interesting people from around the nation and spend time in the mountains with them, which was really exciting,” Schulz said.

TAKING IN THE VIEW, junior Costanza Prato single-handedly balances on her wake board. Prato stayed close to home at Camp Guaikinima for the sixth summer in a row. “I return to this camp, because there is a sense of family, as it is such a positive and encouraging environment where I can overcome my fears, while also gaining strong friendships,” Prato said. Photo provided by Costanza Prato

WITH ZERO ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY, campers at Camp La Llanada disconnect for three weeks and spend time outdoors instead. This year’s theme was the World Cup, and their days consisted of activities, like tubing and kayaking, but counselors also integrated a series of games that related to the theme. “The camp is split up into two teams as soon as we get there, and during our stay, we do our best to win as many points as possible so that we can be the champions,” freshman Enzo Paesano said.

BAGS PACKED Three students shared their top travel essentials.

“It’s obvious, but having cash on you will always come in handy.

– Gustavo Alonso ‘25

“You should always carry a camera with you to capture the memories.”

– Kaya Garcia ‘24

“Travel days can be brutal, so having headphones as a music outlet is important.”

– Alexa Smith ‘25

Senior Alessandra Peña reads the show’s advertisement for the first time, minutes before the opening act begins. Waiting behind the curtains for their turn to perform, the actors felt many emotions. “I felt so much adrenaline rushing through my body while I was backstage because I remembered how much time it took us to perfect all of our lines, dances, and songs,” Peña said.

BEFORE THE SHOW, junior Valeria Castillo Colmenares gives the corresponding prop to the lead role of the play. Castillo worked backstage, helping the actors get ready and managing props. “In between scenes, I had to make sure the actors had the props they needed,” Castillo said.

AFTER THE SHOW, junior Andrea Malpica Alcala takes a picture with an actor in a leading role. Malpica worked with the group over the summer, and to support them she went to watch the second day of the show. “It was fun spending time with the actors and seeing the performance,” Malpica said. Photo

UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT, junior Sofia Suarez Barajas dances next to her partner actor during the second scene of the show. Suarez worked every day for six months with her partner actor, practicing the choreographies for both acts. Suarez encouraged her partner actor to follow her along, in order to not miss any steps from the dance routine.