Students and teachers departed from Hotlanta this summer and embarked on journeys to new countries and cities. The Dubs went to over 11 different countries from Portugal to Croatia to Thailand. It was the season of discoveries and adventure, even for those that stayed in Atlanta and explored Stone Mountain. When the bell rang on the first of August, friends huddled up, discussing their summer getaways and reminiscing over the warmth and freedom.
A journey at sea was the summer fate for one of the Dubs. Sophomore Cara Heath had a memorable getaway, living in a boat for two weeks with her family and sailing around Croatia. Heath spent most of her days walking through many different cities, immersing herself in the new cultures and not shying away from trying the ice creams that each city offered. During the evening, the waves rock her to sleep as the stars glimmered down on her face. “Sleeping on the boat was not for the weak,” she said. “It was like sleeping in a sauna.”
As everyone watched the Olympics on the screen, junior Maddie Fluke got the pleasure of being at the games. Fluke had always wanted to see the Olympics, and as a soccer player, she wanted to see the professionals play. She stayed in Paris one night, spending her day watching two soccer matches and walking around the city. It was jam-packed, with millions of people from different countries and speaking different languages, all trying to get into one place. “The traffic was insane, and the metro was even worse.” she said. “You were packed with absolutely no room, pressed against the doors.”
Despite the transportation troubles, Fluke was so grateful to witness such a monumental time of history, as seeing the Olympics was always a big dream for her. While Fluke spent another week traveling around France, junior Anika Kumar was five hundred miles away in Portugal, making life-long memories. Kumar would spend her days exploring breathtaking sites in the mountains and clear water beaches, getting around on a “tuk-tuk,” the local name for a golf cart. Bipolar weather combined with the desire to swim in a natural beauty of the world led to ice cold moments of brilliance. “I was at risk of getting frostbite when I was swimming, but it was worth it for the beautiful views,” she said.
Now that all students and teachers are back on campus, they will carry the memory of summer 2024 with them throughout the year as they say farewell to summer and embrace this new chapter in their lives.
