A shout of, “3…..2…..1!” rang out as the clock raced towards midnight on Dec. 31.

New Year’s Eve can be a great time to connect with loved ones and participate in lively traditions. Having an event to look forward to every year can make the coming New Year more exciting for students.

“I am probably going to stay at home on New Year’s Eve, just like I have done in years past. My mom traditionally hosts a party for my competitive dance team. We play board games, eat snacks, and stay up late,” freshman Raeleigh Hernandez said.

While students may enjoy quality time with friends, some prefer spending the occasion with family.

“Usually on New Year’s Eve, I will hang out with friends, stay up until midnight, and watch the ball drop. I remember one year my friends and I each pitched in a food, and we ended up with the worst meal ever. Almost everyone brought desserts,” sophomore Nick McCoy said.

Additionally, travelling to visit distant relatives can be an excellent way to memorialize the passing year.

“I should be spending New Year’s Eve with the same group of friends and family that I usually do. We spend it in Michigan at my parents’ friend’s house, and we celebrate the past year. We’ve done this every year for a long time. I actually can’t remember spending New Years with anyone else,” junior Olivia Rockey said.

Participating in New Year’s Eve events with a tight-knit group creates a stronger bond for those people.

“New Year’s Eve is usually a pretty intimate gathering for me; I usually celebrate with 6 friends. This gathering every year really shows me what friendship means and who will show up for you. It almost feels like a break from reality whenever we can all get together on that day every year,” Hernandez said.

Similarly to Hernandez, McCoy also enjoys intimate gatherings.

“I typically spend time with a small group of friends and family, which makes it easy to connect and make memories. My mom always makes the best mac n cheese on New Year’s,” McCoy said.

Seeing loved ones gather for the first time in a while can cement their bond further.

“I think this tradition is special because all of my parents’ friends are up in Michigan. Also, we only usually see them on that day, so it’s exciting to see what everyone has been up to over the year,” Rockey said.