Students Return to Calvert County to Rest, But Not Much Else

 Winter won’t be the only thing returning in the next two weeks.

 As the weather continues to get colder and the holiday season draws near, Calvert County is set for the return of thousands of college students.

 With final exams for the fall semester coming to an end, many students are embracing the return home. Students will spend approximately one month at home before leaving to return to their respective schools for the spring semester.

 “At this point, I really need a break from school,” said Lisa Hamer, of Huntingtown. “I just plan on relaxing.”
 Hamer, who is a sophomore at the University of South Carolina, is not alone in her hope of catching up on sleep.

 “I can’t wait to get home and sleep all day,” said Chelsea Hardies, 20 of Chesapeake Beach. “But I’ll spend most of my break taking a class at the University of Maryland.”

 Despite the much needed rest and relaxation that many students will get during break, students find themselves looking outside Calvert County when it comes to keeping busy.

 “I do get to go to Redskins games when I’m home, so that’s a plus,” said Ben Hammett, a junior at Ohio University and a resident of Huntingtown.

 Amanda Hyde, a sophomore at York College of Pennsylvania, believes that the reason for the lack of student interest in Calvert County lies in the state of disrepair that many places oriented for teenagers are currently in.

 “[Calvert County] is a nice place to rest, but every time people ‘do something,’ they go to Annapolis,” she said. “It’s because the bowling alley and the movie theatre are crumbling, and there’s nothing else to do.”

 “As far as real plans go, I’m taking a trip to Montreal and New York City with a few friends,” said Hamer.

 Still, Hamer’s plans have not stopped her from learning to appreciate Calvert County with new eyes.

 “I would say [Calvert County] is more of a ‘catch your breath’ place, but that’s what is so amazing about it,” she said. “Calvert County gives me the opportunity to sit back and relax, and sometimes reflect, but still have a good time while I’m doing that.”