By: Sai Velamala

     As the end of the year approaches, students at Marriotts Ridge High School are preparing their own ways to welcome the New Year. While the countdown, fireworks, and midnight celebrations are familiar to many, each student brings their own cultural customs, long-held family traditions, and personal traditions. For some students, the holiday marks a time for celebrations, while for others, it’s about honoring the customs that have been passed down for generations.

   For some students, New Year’s weekend starts earlier, long before December 31st. 

   “My family does a huge cleaning the week before, as it is a tradition from my parents’ culture where they sweep out bad luck and make room for good things in the year ahead,” senior Cici Huang explained. The tradition, while time-consuming, symbolizes a fresh start and a chance to let go of the previous year’s worries and mistakes.

   When New Year’s Eve finally arrives, Huang’s home fills with warmth, relatives, and a massive dinner that takes all day to prepare. 

   “There are so many people in the kitchen that you can’t move. My grandma takes control of everything, but we all get assigned jobs. I always end up chopping vegetables for like three hours,” Huang shared.

   Food plays a major role in many students’ celebrations. For one particular student, junior Prerana Bandaru, her family throws a New Year’s cookout every year, regardless of the temperature. 

   “People always ask how we barbecue in the middle of winter, but we’ve been doing it since before I can remember. My dad says if you start the year with good food and good company, the rest will follow,” Bandaru explained. 

   She goes on to share that the best part isn’t the food, but the people they eat with. “We invite family, friends, neighbors, old classmates. Anyone who feels like family,” Bandaru said. 

   For other students, New Year’s weekend looks very different. Some students spend most of the holiday celebrating not one, but two New Year’s. 

   “We go to the temple in early January, but we also celebrate Diwali in the fall, which is the start of the New Year in Hindu tradition. It makes me feel lucky, honestly. I get two fresh starts each year,” senior Hansini Muthu explained. She added that her family uses the January holiday to volunteer by helping others in need. 

   Not all traditions are cultural; some are personal. For example, senior Hasset Belynah has a New Year tradition with her best friend.

   “We grab junk food, go to someone’s basement, and just watch movies until we can’t keep our eyes open. We’ve done it since fourth grade, even though we’re older now,” Belynah explained.    

   Whether through festivals, food, community gatherings, or quietly recharging for the new year ahead, New Year’s traditions at MRHS tell a bigger story. They show how the students at our school carry family roots, shared memories, and personal meanings into each new year. No matter how different the customs may look, they all share one thing in common, which is that the beginning of a new year is a chance to reflect, reconnect, and look forward with hope.