Flying and Freshman by Nick Palilla

Nick Palilla on a pilot lesson
with instructor, Jay Foster

     This May I went to Disney World in Florida with the Lebanon High School Band. When I returned from Florida, I started taking pilot lessons as a birthday gift and preparation for college.

     My first lesson consisted of a walkthrough and inspection of the plane I was going to fly, which is a Piper PA-28 Warrior, a single engine, private plane. After checking everything, I got in the plane and Jay took off. It was an exciting experience, and he let me fly it myself. We did several touch and go's and flew to the Lake of the Ozarks.

     This summer I also worked at Elm Street Eatery a lot. When I wasn't working or flying, I spent my time playing video games, hanging out with friends, and preparing for college. At the end of the summer I went to Freshman band camp as a section leader and prepared the freshman for football nights and competitions, then the next week attended full band camp. My summer went by very fast, and I was disappointed to have to return to school.

My Summer by McKenna Ming

My friend and I just goofing around. 

     This summer was, by far, the best one yet. No, I didn't go on any fabulous vacations, stay in a fancy hotel, or eat anywhere out of the ordinary. I simply made the most of what I had--my friends. 

     I decided that I wasn't going to waste a precious moment of the break by sulking around waiting for something or someone to pop up and spark my interest to do something fun. I planned something fun every week and never had a dull moment this summer. 

     We went to the river at least a hundred times; that seemed to be our infamous hang out spot. I had a sleepover with my best friend at least once a week, and I spent a lot of quality time hanging out with my boyfriend and his family. There wasn't a day that went by that I sat at home and claimed that, "I have nothing to do." 

      This was the first summer that I actually looked back and wished it had never ended.

My 2012 Summer Vacation in California by Vanessah Zavala

A rollercoaster at Six Flags Great America with a beautiful view of the palm trees in California.

Vanessah, her sister, and aunt with
Tasmanian devil at Six Flags.

      At least one month out of every summer I go to California to visit my dad, family, friends, etc.. This summer was more special than any other because I got to spend more time with my dad than usual. He was working less which means more time that I was able to see him. My dad I went out to eat, went shopping, and had a lot of fun together.
     The highlight of my summer however, was when I went to Six Flags: Great America with my sister. The Six Flags in California seemed big and had a lot of rides, roller coasters, and shows. Some rides at Great America resemble those of some at our Six Flags here in Missouri. 
     Although it was the beginning of July in California, it was quite chilly. The cold, however, did not stop us from having fun. My sister and I rode more than 10 rides that day and had blast. As my trip to California slowly came to an end, I packed up all my new memories that I had made and brought them back with me. It was a great summer.