As the 2025-2026 school year comes to an end, many students and staff are beginning to pack their summer vacations full of beach days, hangouts with friends or family, and travel to different areas.
“I’m probably going to end up being at band camp all summer,” sophomore Yaneli Galvan said. “If not, I’ll be enjoying the festivities that come with band.”
But for those graduating, they may have a different case. Seniors spend their summer preparing for college, jobs, and what’s to come next after high school, with a few small breaks in between.
Senior Joshua Haynes said he’ll be spending time with family while also organizing himself for his college journey.
“I’m getting ready for my college dorm and for jobs. I would go through my resume to make sure everything is updated,” Haynes said. “I’d also do some interview questions on my own to be prepared and ready to do my interview with whatever job I decide to pursue.”
When asked about his feelings about his life after high school, Haynes said he’s feeling nervous about college, but also excited to learn more on his own.
“It’s more of a bittersweet feeling,” Haynes said. “I’m excited to try new things and have new experiences, but I’m very sad to leave my friends and all I know behind.”
Other than the students of Rancho Cucamonga High School, staff are also preparing for their vacations and the upcoming school year.
AP Language and Composition teacher, Mr. Gary Favero is spending the summer doing outdoor activities such as going biking and taking trips.
“In June I hope to be riding my bike a lot more. I plan on getting out, doing outdoor things like going to Santa Barbara with a friend, and in July I’m going to New York to see a musical,” Favero said.
As the English Department Chair, Favero has to do a lot more planning for school over the break in order to coordinate with the other English teachers for the next school year.
“Because I’m department chair, I have to set up before we leave for the break. I have to give my draft of our master schedule of what the teachers will be doing,” Favero said. “[Aside from preparing the department,] I’m always trying to come up with new things and ways to teach my courses.”
Similar to Favero, AP and Honors Biology teacher, Mr. Michael Griffone is spending his summer traveling and readying himself for the next school year.
“I’m starting off with a safari on the Maasai Mara Reserve in Kenya, Africa,” Griffone said. “[For school,] I feel like I need to retool the freshman biology curriculum, so I’m just going to reorganize things for that class.”
As the principal of Rancho Cucamonga High School, Mr. Azande Aikens said over the summer he’s spending time with his family, but mainly focusing on preparing for the 2026-2027 school year.
“I have my oldest daughter who’s getting ready to go to college, so we may do a summer trip before she goes,” Aikens said. “[In preparing for school,] I’m getting feedback from our leadership teams, looking at our LCAP survey, and looking at our past and previous goals.”
Summer vacation is a time many students look forward to. It’s a time to rest, reset, and spend time with others without the stress of school.
Rest up well Rancho, and see you next school year!
