“Winter always feels different — colder, but in a good way,” freshman Enrique Guzman said. “It’s the scent of amber and vanilla drifting in the house after Christmas Eve, the fireplace lit while my family gathers and wakes up slowly the next morning. I get excited for this season every year because it’s the one time we’re all together, celebrating traditions that feel warm even when it’s freezing outside. Winter, to me, is family, tradition, and that quiet feeling you get when the cold wind hits and everything feels peaceful.”
“Winter, to me, is calm and cozy, a time to wear sweaters, spend time with family, and enjoy the little moments that make the season special,” freshman Yoltzin Cruz said. “One of my favorite memories is waking up on Christmas morning to find a little black German Shepherd licking me — my dog, Negro, whom I never even asked for. That surprise, the warmth of home, and the joy of spending time with him every Christmas makes winter feel magical. It’s a season of happiness, family, and unexpected gifts that leave a mark on your heart.”
“When I think of winter, I see a table full of Mexican food and my whole family together under the Christmas lights,” freshman Daisy Villegas said. “Every year we do the same traditions — praying, eating, laughing, and opening gifts at my house and then at my aunt’s. I love the cold because it feels like a season that brings us closer, like the whole world slows down just so we can be together. My winter is Christmas music on blast, the smell of food, and everyone gathered in one place.
“Winter reminds me of family more than anything,” sophomore Michael Liggins said. “My favorite memories are from Christmas in 2016, when my aunt and cousins visited and we finally got to spend time together after not seeing them for so long. Those moments made me appreciate them in a different way, and every winter since then feels nostalgic because it brings all those memories back. Even as I’ve grown up, the season has shifted from being about gifts to being about being close to the people I love.”
“When I think of winter, I always think of my family — all of us together, talking, laughing, and sharing food,” junior Isaias Castillo said. “My favorite memories are when my dad brings out his guitar and we all sing Christmas songs in the living room. Even the smell of ponche with cinnamon reminds me of how warm and happy those nights feel. Winter is nostalgic for me, because now I appreciate those moments more than I did as a kid. It’s the season that brings us closer and makes me thankful for the people I have.”
“When I think of winter, the first thing that comes to mind is the cold and a simple little snowflake,” junior Daisy Perez said. “My favorite memory was in 2021, when it actually snowed and we all went outside for a snowball fight even though nobody had water or power — it was one of those moments that just stayed with me. Winter makes me feel lazy and cozy at the same time, the kind of season where you warm your clothes in the dryer and try not to leave your bed. And even though it’s not my favorite season, it still brings my family together with traditions, food, and the holidays we celebrate.”
“Winter, to me, is peaceful and warm, a season filled with family, cozy blankets, and the comforting smells of tamales and hot chocolate,” senior Camila Aguilar said. “I love watching snow fall with my family, building snowmen, throwing snowballs, and just enjoying those simple moments together. The holidays make everything feel joyous, from seeing Christmas lights to sharing meals and prayers with my loved ones. Winter is a time to be together, to create memories, and to feel the quiet magic of the season with the people who matter most.”
“When I think of winter, I think of Christmas and my family all together,” senior Abigail Vasquez said. “My favorite memory is when my grandparents and almost all my aunts and uncles came from Mexico to surprise my mom — she hadn’t seen them in so long, and seeing her cry made that day unforgettable. Winter makes me nostalgic now that I’m a senior, because it reminds me of how innocent everything felt when I was younger and how much life is changing. Even with all the stress, it still feels heartwarming, because at the end of the day winter brings us back to family.”
“When I think of winter, I always think about layering — clothes that actually make me feel like myself,” senior Hadasa Hernandez said. “I didn’t really find confidence in my style until high school, and winter became the season where I felt the safest and most comfortable in what I wore. The cold gives me an excuse to be in my own world a little more, to stay warm, stay inside, and focus on myself. But it also reminds me of my family, especially the years when the power went out and we all slept together in the living room by the fire — those memories still feel warm. Winter, for me, is comfort, safety, and the quiet joy of being able to just be who I am.”
