As the temperature begins to drop and the days get shorter, WHS students step away from late nights and beach days to embrace the arrival of fall with apple picking, sporting events, and a variety of other autumnal activities.

    “It’s a magical, beautiful time of the year,” said sophomore Emilia McGarr. “There’s something so special about fall, especially in New England.” 

  Many people enjoy spending the season outside in the Northeast because the weather makes the experience different from many other parts of the country. 

   “It gets a little cooler, the air is crisp, and it’s just awesome,” said senior Greg Kocharyan.

   While some travel north to see the fall colors, others enjoy exploring the outdoors closer to home.  

   “In the fall I like to explore Boston to see the change in scenery,” said sophomore Leksi Sullivan.

   Staying close to home is a sentiment shared by other students, as for many the fall scenery is easy to find without an unnecessarily long trip. 

   “I think going out of your way to go see the foliage is overhyped,” said junior Avo Bell. “The trees are changing colors all around us; you don’t need to drive an hour.”

   Others have past memories of fun activities that they could enjoy in their own backyards. 

   “When I was younger, [my favorite fall activity] was probably jumping into a pile of leaves,” said Kocharyan.

   Sometimes enjoying the outside also includes the chance to sample in-season foods, often with family members. For these students, the foods are part of the memories that come with them.

   “My favorite fall activity is apple picking,” said junior Sahana Krishnan. “I go with my family friends every year, so it’s kind of a tradition. I love buying apple cider donuts at the orchard, and I love making apple pie with the apples we pick.”

   The appreciation of this specific activity is popular among other members of the WHS community as well, who also look forward to the seasonal tradition and treats that come with it. 

   “I go [apple picking] every year with my family, and we get apple cider and donuts,” said McGarr.

  Beyond apples, apple cider, and pies, WHS students have a variety of foods they look forward to eating each year. 

   “Everyone should try eating pumpkin flavored things,” said freshman Luana Gallo.

   While pumpkin-related foods are a fall staple enjoyed by many, the traditional work of carving pumpkins for Halloween is not as universally enjoyed.

   “Carving pumpkins is overhyped,” said sophomore Evangelina Lemay. “It gets your hands dirty, they don’t last long [because] they rot, and it’s a really big cleanup.” 

   Despite this messy element of the season, celebrating Halloween remains a positive aspect of autumn.  

   “My favorite fall holiday is Halloween. I love getting dressed up and going out with my friends,” said McGarr. “It’s so much fun to meet people and have a break from school that isn’t the normal weekend.”

    Others find that the ways that people choose to celebrate the event are not as appealing. 

   “[I don’t get the hype on] Halloween parties,” said Gallo. “Sometimes they are too much, and they make me have anxiety.”

   For members of the faculty, Halloween traditions can look a little different.

  “I love to go back to my parents’ house,” said math teacher Rebecca Walz. “We get so many trick-or-treaters because we are right down the street from an elementary school, so I love to go there, put a cowboy hat on, and hand out candy there.”

   Other popular fall activities include attending school sporting events that happen during the fall. These events provide more opportunities for students to enjoy the weather and show school spirit. 

   “I like going to football games and hanging out with my friends,” said freshman JJ Cassinelli. “It’s just fun being outside together, especially when it starts getting colder and it actually feels like fall.” 

   Although not every fall activity appeals to all members of the community, WHS students find their own ways to enjoy the traditions that come with the changing season. 

   “I think everyone has their own thing that they like about fall,” said Cassinelli. “For me, it’s mostly just hanging out with my friends outside. It makes fall feel different from the rest of the year.”