Hopkins Students Prepare for an Action-Packed Summer

Many Hopkins students plan to use the warm weather to their advantage this summer. After a cold spring, students look forward to spending time outdoors and engaging in various forms of physical activity. Sylvia Franz ’23 mentions that, over the summer, she will be “sailing as well as swimming and teaching sailing!” Caitlin Fearon ’26 intends to “go to sleep away summer camp for four weeks,” and some of the activities she looks forward to include: “boating, swimming, going to the beach, biking and [eating] s’mores.”

With free time to spare, students took on jobs at local stores and businesses. Prairie Resch ’21 will “be working as a lifeguard for the second summer in a row.” She shares her outlook for the job: “Hopefully I’ll actually be able to have a more normal lifeguarding experience this year—and avoid sunburn.” Benjamin Partridge ’26 is excited to “work at the Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, RI. I will be doing grounds work; cleaning courts, getting balls, setting up for events, and maybe work in the pro shop.” Abby Regan ’22 says, “I work at Ashley’s. I’m really excited to be scooping ice cream this summer. I have wonderful co-workers, I love seeing people I know when I’m working, and it’s such a fun and posi- tive environment to be in!”

With vaccine availability and easing of mask man- dates and travel restrictions, students plan to spend much-needed quality time with family and friends. Vittorio Montesoro ’24 will visit his family in Italy: “I will spend two weeks eating my grandma’s delicious Italian food and fattening up, before spending four weeks at the beach...I’ll be with my cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and just having an amazing time!” Orly Baum ’22 explains, “... All of the people in my house will be fully vaccinated by mid-July and I’ll be able to see my grandparents for the first time in over a year!” Yash DiMauro ’21 also plans to bond with friends and family by going on numerous road trips: “First, I’m driving to Zion National Park with my family. Me and the boys also have two road trips planned: one to Acadia National Park and one to Chicago.”

Travel, for many, is becoming an option as a result of the Covid vaccine. As of May 20, 2021, 49% of Connecticut’s population has received at least one dose (USA Facts). Ava Littman ’23 believes that the nationally implemented immunization efforts will “make [her] less stressed about [Covid-19] and [introduce her to] a wider range of things to do.” Ripley Chance ’26, who will also be fully vaccinated by summertime, is “planning to stay masked around other people” but hopes she “will be able to be closer than six feet and go to sleep away camp without having to wear a mask/be socially distant.”

Widespread vaccination is beginning to allow for more travel across the nation, but the matter still remains controversial. Littman believes that travel is a realistic option, “since a lot of people will be vaccinated it’s going to be a lot less risky.” She has faith that it will remain safe “as long as people continue to wear masks.” On the contrary, Sam Brock ’21 has more concerns about how people will react now that restrictions have been loosened. “I am concerned that people with only a single vaccine dose will assume immunity and end up spreading it” but “[I think] it is safe for [fully vaccinated people] to have a lot more freedom in summer trips.” Luke Lu ’23 proposes additional limitations to be put in place; “I still think that international travel should be limited, especially to high-risk countries, however, I think it’s perfectly fine to stay within the US so long as large crowds are avoided.”

This year’s summer is already looking hopeful when compared to 2020’s, as lower Covid and higher vaccination rates are creating a safer environment for American people. Craigin Maloney ’21 notes there will ”be fewer restrictions on the ability to see bigger groups of people.” He adds that he, “will definitely be going over state lines with a few of my friends, which [I] couldn’t do last summer.” Regan, however, has a different approach; in correlation with positive lifestyle choices she made during last year’s quarantine period, she is hoping that some things will stay the same as last summer. She elaborates, “I want to spend time with my family and I want to prioritize exercising and baking as I did in [the] summer [of 2020]. But I also hope to be able to see more people and work more!”