What Do WHS Students Do In Their Freetime?

As the new year begins, many students may be looking for ways to fill their free time after school. It can be tempting for them to spend all of their leisure time inside, curled up by the fireplace or watching TV as the days become shorter and the weather outside gets colder. However, there is a variety of thrilling activities that students can take part in to stay active and engaged, even outside of school. I spoke with a few of my peers here at WHS, all of whom engage in a specific and unique hobby, to help inform students of some of the extracurricular activities they can choose to indulge in.

1. Skiing

Skiing is an exhilarating outdoor activity that could offer anyone a fantastic workout and the chance to take in the splendor of nature. Student discounts are frequently available at ski resorts, and many schools have ski teams and groups that students can join. Skiing is an activity that can be done all winter long and is a terrific way for students to connect with friends and family. Here to discuss skiing further is frequent skier, Jake Cataldo.

How long have you been skiing for? What interested you in becoming a skier? 

Jake Cataldo: I have skied for 12 years, I started when my parents wanted to find something to do during a vacation.

What are some of your favorite ski resorts/areas to visit? Rank them in order from most favorite to least favorite. 

JC: My favorites are Cranmore because I work there, and Jay peak because I would vacation there a lot.

Is there any advice or anything you’d like to say to someone interested in signing up for skiing? 

JC: Something I recommend is, start by taking lessons from an experienced coach. Starting by yourself will affect your future in the sport if you don’t learn correctly.

2. Dance

Another entertaining and energizing activity that students can partake in outside of the classroom is dance. Dance allows kids to express themselves creatively and promotes peak physical fitness, whether it’s tap, jazz, hip hop, or ballet. Taking dance courses can be a terrific method for students to meet new people and improve their social skills. These classes are frequently provided at neighborhood studios or community centers. Here to discuss dance further is Haven Pereira, a very talented and gifted dancer.

When did you start doing dance? What interested you in becoming a dancer?

Haven Pereira: I started dance classes when I was still in diapers, and danced recreationally for the next several years while I was primarily doing theatre. Around 6th grade I switched studios to where I am currently, Sheila Rosanio School of Dance & Gymnastics, so that I could participate at a competitive level. My parents always loved to dance and perform on stage.

What aspects of dance do you truly love or enjoy? Do you intend to continue this hobby in the future, perhaps even becoming an instructor?

HP: I love everything about dance especially the thrill of performing at competitions. But what I probably love most is the friends and relationships I’ve made over the years at the studio, they’re my dance family! In college I plan to be on the dance or cheer team, depending on where I end up. Either way I’ll be dancing in some capacity.

Is there anything you’d like to say to people who are interested in signing up for dance or upcoming dancers?

HP: Depending on whether you’re looking to dance recreationally or competitively, there are a lot of great studios to choose from in Winthrop and surrounding towns. Dance has so many benefits aside from keeping you active & fit, it helps create confidence, poise, and lifelong friendships!

3. Music

Music is an universal language that can unite people and give them a sense of pride and accomplishment. Music is a fantastic opportunity for students to express themselves and foster their creativity, whether they are performing in a choir, playing an instrument, or composing electronic music. For students who are interested in learning further, there are several community groups and private music courses in addition to the many schools that provide music programs. Here to discuss music further is David Gonzalez, a very creative and innovative music producer.

How long have you been doing music? What inspired you to start producing? 

David Gonzalez: I’ve been making music for about 3 years now. Seeing the process behind the scenes of making records, I come from a family full of musicians so ever since I was a kid I’ve been around studios seeing records being made.

What is the process behind making your music? How do you come up with ideas for beats? What editing software do you use?

DG: My process in making music isn’t too hard, I start off by making a melody off of the vibe I’m trying to go for, I also like to sample older songs and chop them up, after I have that down I create drum patterns to complete the beat, then I mix it all to make it sound complete. After the beat is done, I put it in a beat pack and send it to artists, labels, and a&r’s. Depending on the mood I am in different ideas would come to mind, if I’m in more of a laid back mood I’ll usually make beats that sound more pleasing to the ears like RnB. I use FL Studio for beat making, and I also use Pro tools for whenever I’m mixing an artists vocals.

What is the process behind making your music? How do you come up with ideas for beats? What editing software do you use?

DG: My process in making music isn’t too hard, I start off by making a melody off of the vibe I’m trying to go for, I also like to sample older songs and chop them up, after I have that down I create drum patterns to complete the beat, then I mix it all to make it sound complete. After the beat is done, I put it in a beat pack and send it to artists, labels, and a&r’s. Depending on the mood I am in different ideas would come to mind, if I’m in more of a laid back mood I’ll usually make beats that sound more pleasing to the ears like RnB. I use FL Studio for beat making, and I also use Pro tools for whenever I’m mixing an artists vocals.

4. Boxing

Boxing is a wonderful sport for students who want to improve their coordination and physical fitness. It necessitates rigorous training and practice, which demands lots of discipline and tenacity. Being accessible and inclusive, boxing is a sport that is practiced in many gyms. These gyms provide sessions for students of all ages and proficiency levels. Bartolo’s Boxing Club, which is a gym in

Winthrop and is located at 541 Shirley Street, is where I have been visiting regularly. Sal Bartolo Jr., the owner, has been fighting since he was 11 years old and has been a professional boxer for 30 years. If you’re interested in learning more about his life and boxing club, watch this brief interview with him. In it, he discusses the sport of boxing and the techniques he uses to prepare his boxers.

Conclusion

Overall, there are lots of fun after-school activities available for students. There is something for everyone, regardless of whether they desire to be creative, athletic, or academically motivated. By participating in these activities, students can stay engaged, have fun, and develop important skills and interests. Finding an activity that a student enjoys and that keeps them active and engaged is crucial, regardless of the activity they decide to take part in. These are only a few of the numerous possibilities available to students looking for activities to engage in during their free time. If you are a student looking to sign up for more activities, I hope this article is useful to you. Don’t be afraid to try new things because you might just end up finding a new hobby!

Special thanks to Jake Cataldo, Haven Pereira, and David Gonzalez for being the interviewees of my article. 🙂