As autumn quietly surrendered, the vibrant leaves that wrapped the trees in colors of red, orange and yellow lay scattered on the cold ground. The crisp air grows stronger each morning as the sunlight dims down. The golden presence of fall slowly becomes a silvery color in an instant, once the snow falls. Frost begins to make its appearance across roofs, buildings and streets, sparkling like tiny stars.
The world becomes quiet and still as we wait for the first snowflake. Animals hurry to find shelter to make it through winter. Some animals migrate, hibernate, grow thicker fur and some adapt to the cold. People bundle up in soft, heavy coats, gloves, boots and scarves to keep warm. Snowplows spread salt before storms to keep roads clear and safe.
Winter mornings feel colder and slower, with shorter days and longer nights. The days are shorter and the nights come earlier than usual. There’s a different kind of comfort that winter brings from all the other seasons, whether it’s building a snowman, making snow angels, drinking hot chocolate, going sledding or watching snowflakes sway outside your window.
“I don’t like winter because it gets super cold,” Damarvion Hattix said. “My mom makes me shovel the driveway and my hands and nose go numb.”
Winter doesn’t always bring comfort to everyone. It comes with icy and slick roads, car doors being frozen shut, “winter sadness,” an increase in car accidents, slushy sidewalks leaving many with wet shoes, etc. The crunch of footsteps against the frozen snow leads a trail after each step you take.
“I’m from Colorado so I love the snow. I enjoy going to the mountains and the world is so peaceful. I’m used to being in chilled weather and I’m able to wear a T-shirt, shorts, and no shoes sometimes when I’m sitting outside my house enjoying the cold weather. I also have a snow blower that I use to help with the snow.” Mrs. Shelly said.
People who grow up in colder climates often adapt more easily than those from warmer places. Compared to someone who is used to chilly weather may be really cold to them compared to someone who actually has lived in really cold weather.
“Winter is my favorite season because I like the holiday seasons that come with it. Christmas is one of my favorites because I love gift giving. I love doing all of the holiday traditions with my family and friends,” Jayda Fletcher said.
Even though the weather is cold, winter warmth comes from the laughter in people’s homes, the glow of fireplaces, and the memories created during the holidays.
From fall to winter, from sweats to shivers, the transition into winter carries changes that aren’t just for the trees. As we enter 2026, students and teachers alike are met with a whirling cornucopia of opportunities, events, changes and challenges from the schoolyard to their front door.
For some, this is the peak of the year, but for others, these are the slowest, dampest months they trek through. It differs from student to student, like junior Juan Jimenez, who still finds himself productive during these dark, cold months.
“For me, keeping active is a little harder because of how it is outside. I still try to go out and play my sport, soccer, but it’s hard if it snows,” Jimenez said. “In winter, I try to make sure I’m not just sitting down, I try to walk around more and still move my body in some way.”
Other students resonate with this peculiar sense of motivation, like junior Lillian Morris, who has her own bitter-sweet sense of inspiration relating to this season.
“During the winter, I definitely feel more burnt out,” Morris said. “However, I feel motivated to work harder because I know that after the new year, I’ll get a new fresh start. I’m excited to start my new classes, as well as this year’s competition season for show choir.”
For the students, this season brings all kinds of work and all kinds of excitement, but with the end of first semester, the teachers have just as much on their plate as the students; especially those who run programs outside of school hours. Theatre teacher Jeremy Stoll has much to look forward to, with just as much of a challenge.
“Why is it that the holidays feel like you are both speeding up and looking forward to slowing down at the same time?” Stoll said. “Things are really getting kicked into gear this winter. I’m excited for the musical auditions, because we get to do all of that and then get two weeks to relax before the storm starts up in the second semester.”
Westside’s community has much in store for the holiday season, from delicious food and valuable traditions to massive annual events and time for success. While it’s a struggle to get stuff done and stay motivated during these dim times, the winter season and the new year hold room for growth for all at Westside.
