The snow piled high across the greater Cincinnati area, leading to many school closures and extra days of winter break. Among the closures was Highlands High School. Fort Thomas received around 10 inches of snowfall, meaning most students likely saw the most snow they had ever seen.
Some were surprised when HHS announced not one but two snow days extending their Winter break on January 6 and 7. Most students took advantage of their extra time off by doing fun activities.
“During the snow days I went sledding with my family and made snow ice cream,” Ellery Browning (9) said.
While some people went sledding, others preferred to stay inside where it was warm and cozy.
“I binged Gossip Girl and made homemade chicken noodle soup,” Eva Sarakatsanis (12) said.
Even though most students spent much time outdoors playing in the snow and hanging out with friends and family, the teachers did not have as much fun. Some teachers planned lessons and graded assignments.
“All I did for those two days was shovel snow, but someone had to do it,” geometry teacher William Schlarman said.
Although most students have never seen the amount of snow that Fort Thomas received, some teachers have experienced larger snow storms.
“There was a blizzard in ’77. It was when The Ohio River froze over. My car was stuck in the snow for 6 weeks. There was a lot of snow, it was unbelievable,” janitor Guy Ponzer said.
Snow days are more than just a break from routine; they leave behind lasting memories that students and teachers will remember forever.
“The last time we had a snow day my friends and I went sledding and we put ramps over a tree and had a blast,” Joe Frost (12) said.
Some older and some younger, most students and teachers at Highlands can now say they have experienced a true snow day, thanks to the heavy snowfall that blanketed the area to look back and remember for years to come.
“I guess after 31 years of teaching, some years you have some snow days, and some years you don’t. This year happened to be one of those years,” Schlarman said.
