TPA students and faculty share fall break experiences

Anneliese and her parents in Koreatown

By Nina Lin and Waley Lin

Many Tempe Prep students and their families took advantage of fall break to do interesting and exciting things. We asked some about their experiences.

Mary Elias, 6B

Suddenly my hamster Pipsqueek died on the week of fall break. But that doesn’t stop me from playing the volleyball game. It was really fun and I came home to watch Netflix.

Christan Burgin, 6C

I went to Hawaii with the whole family. There were many beautiful scenery to see. My favorite part was doing the zip line where I went across the green forest. I felt like I could fly through the sky. A fun experience to be in.

Cole McQueen, 6B

I went to Knott’s Berry Farm in California for the first time. I went on many awesome and trilling rides like the roller coasters, bumper rides, water rides and many more!

Blake Price, 7C

I went to Surprise Arizona to visit my grandma’s acre.  We had lots of fun riding dirt bikes. I also jumped and did a hang ten! Also I built a huge fort made of dirt, sticks, and sheets.

Jordan Ehmann, 7A

During fall break, I was able to see my older sister again. She goes to ASU and I went there to visit her. We both went to a party with her friends and it was so much fun.

James David, 10C

Over fall break I went to San Diego to visit my family. We celebrated my baby cousin’s first birthday. I went to the beach and did snorkeling. How amazing to see the underwater life where you see corals and fishes swim by you.

Bronson Stephens, 11C

I went caving in Oracle at Peppersauce Cave and we explored with my favorite people. I got really dirty along the way trying to squeeze through the tiny holes. It was a new experience for me. When you first walk in, everything around you are suddenly pitch black, however there were some lights to guide us through the path. It took about two hours when we finished. When we were finally outside, it was really bright.

Bronson and friends at Peppersauce Cave
Bronson and friends at Peppersauce Cave

Anneliese Harriman, 11A

I went to Southern California to visit my brother who lives there. I sort of attempted surfing for the first time, unsuccessfully, but more importantly went to Koreatown in Los Angles. It is probably the coolest six blocks of city in the U.S, not to mention Korean food is incredible. I highly recommended paying a visit there.

Anneliese and her parents in Koreatown
Anneliese and her parents in Koreatown

Mrs. Wilkison

I went to North Carolina to visit my grandchildren. I met my new grandson who is absolutely adorable. He was born on July 26 and since then I never had gotten to meet him in person. It was hot, rainy, and beautiful there where I can spend my time playing with both of my grandsons.

Mrs. Wilkison's grandchildren, Liam and Eric, asleep on mommy.
Mrs. Wilkison’s grandchildren, Liam and Eric, asleep on mommy.

Mrs. Vorst

I went to Ohio with my husband and attended his childhood friend’s wedding. It was a long and freezing event. Somehow it was not very engaging to me. The weather was cold and rainy but that was a brilliant excuse to buy a cute tweed coat for $3. The weather was 40 degrees so I had to get it. So happy that I got it.

Mr. Thurston

I went to Vegas, baby!! I am NOT going to tell you what happened!! What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!!

Dr. Cardoso & Dr. Salcido

Before I tell you what I did during fall break, I must tell you my story. I have a friend who is a professor at University of California, Santa Barbara. I knew him for 20 years and his name is Dr. Francisco Lomeli. About 10 years ago, Dr. Francisco Lomeli was doing a job interview for a man named Shuji Nakamura who wanted a job at University of California, Santa Barbara, Calif. and got the job. Shuji Nakamura helped invent blue LED technology and now his work has been recognized because of Dr. Francisco Lomeli. This month, Shuji Nakamura received the Physics Nobel Prize.