Summer break is quickly approaching. While the end of school means finals and even going off to college for some, it also gives students freedom. With that freedom, many people take exciting vacations or dive into equally fun plans at home.
Whether it’s trips across the ocean or projects that require dedicated hard work, LSHS students have their own interesting summer activities to look forward to.
Junior Alexis Aparico plans on going with his lowrider group all over Washington. Lowriders are customized cars with lowered bodies. He plans to go places in both southern and eastern Washington, while also going to Seattle. His group goes to different highways and places that are popular among lowrider groups, like the Dick’s Drive-In on Highway 99 in Edmonds.
“A very nice cruise, recently, that we just went on was from old Walmart that was on Highway 99, and we took over the whole highway, which was pretty funny. And we went down to that Edmonds Dick’s, spent a good night […] All the low riders went down to Shoreline and then to Fremont, so it was a pretty big cruise,” Aparico said.
Aparico also plans to make modifications to his mini truck, such as replacing the suspension with airbags so he can make his truck lower and modifying the C-notch so that he can make riding more comfortable. He also plans on painting it white, back to the original color again. Aparico estimates that these modifications should take around two summers to complete as this is his first time doing these types of modifications, and he doesn’t have the necessary tools yet.
Junior Avery Schildt is taking a trip to Hawaii soon after school ends with her childhood best friend, junior Aiyanna Cook. The trip has been a dream of theirs for years.
“When we were really young, she would always say, ‘I’m gonna take you to Hawaii,’ and I’m like, ‘we’ll see about that.’ And then she finally invited me to go, and I was like, ‘Heck yeah!’” Schildt said.
Shildt is most excited to enjoy the weather and make memories exploring the unique nature of Hawaii. She will also be traveling to Illinois and Kentucky to visit her mom’s extended family. Although she is excited to see everyone, she is especially excited to meet her blonde family members, as it will be her first time doing so.
Other Vikings have chosen to stay in town for break. Junior Lily Nianekeo plans to work on her passion project titled “Star Project” that she has created with some of her out-of-district friends.
“I am hoping by the end of the summer we have a Star Project animatic to post on YouTube. And then once we have an animatic, we’re going to send out, like, a public announcement saying, hey, we need voice actors,” Nianekeo said.
The project has been in the works for at least two years, and summer’s bountiful free time will give Nianekeo more time to draw and plan her story.
There are plenty of events in Washington state during the summer that people can fill their long days with.
In July, Aquafest will be held in downtown Lake Stevens from July 10 – 12. The Davis Shows NW carnival is providing rides, games and food and will open a day early on July 9 at 5 p.m.. The rest of the vendors and attractions will open the next day.
The ever-popular Evergreen State Fair in Monroe spans from Aug. 27 – Sept. 7, closed only on Sept. 2. Grandstand events include a classic car display on opening day, multiple speedway events and concerts, including Seattle native Sir-Mix-A-Lot.
To the delight of soccer fans, Seattle’s Lumen Field, renamed Seattle Stadium, will be hosting the following matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
Belgium vs Egypt on June 15 at 12 p.m.
United States vs Australia on June 19 at 12 p.m.
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar on June 24 at 12 p.m.
Egypt vs Iran on June 26 at 8 p.m.
Near Frontier Village is Creator Zone, a makerspace dedicated to providing tools, materials and creative resources with mentorship to kids of any age in Lake Stevens in order to foster learning and creativity. They host multiple week-long camps in summer, with opportunities to use 3D printers, sewing machines, laser cutters and more.
In Snohomish, the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Fair will be held for five weekends, from July 18 – Aug. 16. Each weekend has a different theme that invites guests to dress and act as different types or characters, like fairies, pirates and vikings.
As students count down to the end of the year, they work on solidifying their plans in order to make the most of summer, but the season can still be fun without having every day laid out.
