Welcome back from break, Baruch! Hopefully winter break was a time of rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. For many, it also entails exciting holiday traditions. Students and teachers throughout Baruch boast a diverse array of winter traditions–here are some that fellow Baruchians enjoyed over the holidays.
Baruch’s beloved teachers, Mr. Salamone and Mr. Jonas, both enjoy time with loved ones. Salamone travels to Massachusetts to spend a more typical holiday with his family. “We have a nice meal, exchange gifts, and enjoy time with loved ones,” he said. Mr. Jonas celebrates with his family as well, and they partake in a White Elephant exchange. Every person gets a versatile gift and, as a group, the gifts are exchanged.
Baruchian students have a variety of unique Christmas traditions. While families typically spend Christmas morning in their pajamas, senior Carter Chau opens the mornings’ gifts in dress clothes. He explains that his Mom is responsible for this tradition, she believes it helps to “set the day’s intentions.”
Junior Raymond Needham enjoys a specific meal annually: clam chowder. His dad has prepared it for Christmas dinner for years, and his grandma set the precedent before him. “It’s pretty good,” he said.
Senior Ava Walters sports matching Christmas pajamas with her parents and two younger sisters. Every year they purchase sets from Amazon and TJMaxx. 2022’s Christmas was their favorite one; they all wore Pickle Rick pants, as an homage to the iconic Adult Swim TV show “Rick and Morty.”
Two of the interviewed students celebrate Noche Buena; Tizita Moya and Sabrina Escamilla-Rodriguez. Noche Buneo is similar to Christmas, only gifts are opened on the night of Christmas Eve instead of Christmas morning. It is a common Hispanic tradition dating back to the late 17th century.
Moya hosts a backyard bonfire at her house in Connecticut; the night is spent making s’mores, opening gifts, and enjoying the company of her extended family. Escamilla-Rodriguez spends Noche Buena at her aunt’s house. Her and her family stay up all-night at a lively event, eating food, giving thanks, and opening gifts.
Moya also has a unique New Years tradition; when the clock strikes midnight she goes under a table and eats twelve grapes before the first minute passes. “My family and I have done it for years, it is supposed to bring good luck into your year,” she said.
Ethan Cirrito, in 12th grade, recommends going to the Transit Museum and catching a train from 1934. The museum brings back their 20th century model, open to ride for the public, every Saturday of December. The train cars are decorated for the holidays, and run up and down the D line from 2nd Ave to 145th St.
Although the holidays are over and it’s easy to miss a break with fun-filled traditions, the happiness of the holidays will infuse the new semester as school begins again. It’s hard to be back, perhaps, but hopefully we had good times while we were gone.
