The Buzz

How is your spring break spent?

By Ron Rambo

For many MHCC students, spring break is an amalgamation of various excesses, but pretty much comes down to one thing: alcohol.

Not that every student will be drinking, but you can bet your bottom dollar that a high percentage will be surrounded by it. This is the time of year that liquor and beer companies live for: students of all types, from high school all the way up to graduate school, getting their one taste of nice weather (sometimes) and freedom before returning to their institute of education for the stretch run.

“This is the first spring break where I’ve really had a chance to do anything fun,” said student Deidre Costello. “Every year prior to this, I’d always traveled with my high school’s baseball team and kept score. It wasn’t bad, but it was never really that exciting.”

Her plans are consistent with nearly everyone that doesn’t have to stay in Portland to work; she’s going to Lincoln City with about 15 friends. She and her crew are renting a house, doing some barbequing, playing some board games, and probably hitting Chinook Winds Casino sometime over the course of the week. Sounds fairly kosher — with the exception of the looming shadow of booze.

“I’ve never been drunk before, but I’m sure my friends are eager to get me there,” Costello said with a laugh. “I can neither confirm nor deny any intentions.”

Once again this year, the hot spots are the same. For most, the destination is either the beach or Eastern Oregon. And alcohol is often the drug of choice.

“It’s pretty straight forward really — I’m going to Civic City with my girlfriend, staying at my uncle’s cabin, and probably doing some drinking,” said student Sean Carey. “Should be a pretty fun, relaxing week.”

This of course, differs entirely from what would have been done by some a few years ago, when students were still staring at the taillights of a high school diploma.

“There’s not a chance I’d be able to do anything really cool or fun at all, or even anything pretty mellow like going to Civic City if I were still in high school,” said Carey. “The best part of spring break is that every year, you gain more and more freedom. No way would my parents have let me out the door a couple years ago for a week-long excursion without some kind of supervision.”

Other students, like Matin Asskaryar, are hoping for a tax return to help push their vacation over the top.
“Well, me and my wife and child are going to Bend for a few days. Checking out Mt. Bachelor and staying at the Sunriver Resort, exploring Eastern Oregon, and seeing all the sights,” Asskaryar said. “Hopefully we can get our tax returns back, and then we’ll be having a real good time. Then we can probably make it down to Virginia for a friend’s wedding, which of course means a lot of fun times, and a full bar!”

Regardless of one’s plans, safety should be at the top of everyone’s mind during spring break. Even if you aren’t drinking, keep in mind, there are those who are — and some maintain total disregard for the safety of themselves or others. Every year, there are those stories of tragedy that befall those who don’t pay attention to what they’re doing, or who think they can drive after they’ve had one too many. Highway 101 doesn’t need to be a death-trap this year.

As more and more students wriggle free of their parent’s grasp, they should still keep in mind the advice they always give when you walk out the door, or hang up the phone for the last time: Be careful.