Riveting Midday Adventures

 

By Abigail Soo

 

After a supremely long wait leading up to Friday, 3rd of October, off-campus lunch for seniors was finally available.

During D block on Friday, October 3rd, the classes in the Harbor building were buzzing with excitement due to the ability to go off campus the next block for lunch. Between the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the SOPs that were put in place, going off campus for lunch, a senior privilege, seemed like an impossible feat. In World Literature class, there was a lot of leg tapping going on, nervous glances at the clock, and chatter in the room. All signs pointed to adrenaline coursing through the seniors’ veins as they waited for the glorious sound of the lunch bell.

Weeks ago, when the semester started, the SOP caused the launch of disappointing rules, especially for the students of Dalat, who enjoy a close-knit community that loves group activities. The students weren’t allowed to stay on campus after hours for any reason, even for sports and extracurriculars. The impact on the culture at Dalat caused by that was significant, enthusiasm and excitement ran low, and the students were not as motivated and energetic as before. Overall, it just didn’t feel like Dalat anymore.

Then, a miracle happened on the 2nd of October; an email was sent to the students titled, “Senior Off Campus Lunch.” That email caused an uproar and immediately restored the spirits of the students. Some had been waiting for this privilege since 1st grade, and the moment had arrived, after a decade-long wait.

“Finally!” exclaimed Saebom Won (12), a known foodie in the class of 2021.

Fast forward to Friday the 3rd of October, the long-awaited moment had finally made an arrival. The students, waiting for the bell, felt like they could taste freedom on the tips of their tongues. They were so close, yet so far. Only a few millimeters away on the clock, it seemed, but in seconds, the wait was oh-so-long.

Then, it happened, the sweet and haunting tune of the lunch bell rang throughout the school, louder that day, as if it also knew of the exciting news. The students, bags packed and ready, ran out of the classrooms, doors slamming shut behind them as they finally attained freedom to go on an adventure in the middle of the day. Some went to restaurants nearby, and some tested their luck and went farther. They might have been late, but they didn’t care. After all, they were having some riveting midday adventures.