As we approach the end of the school year, May Term begins to creep into people’s minds. May Term is a unique opportunity for students to step out of the regular classroom experience and engage in off-campus activities. From Cooking and Culture to a Civil Rights trip to Alabama, there’s something for everyone. May Term offers a wide variety of activities that help students explore new interests, develop skills, and connect with their classmates in new environments.
May Term intends to give students the chance to learn beyond the classroom through field trips and meetings with mentors. According to Junior Amelia Schnirring, the yearbook and mural project May Terms were the best ones. Schnirring stated, “The mural project was really fun….we got to work with a real artist who would show us different color schemes and painting techniques to make the mural even better.” During this May Term, students left campus every day and headed to Madisonville, where they worked with artist Cedric Cox to create a vibrant mural. While he led the project, students were in charge of painting and designing the mural.
Junior Maggie Rubenstein said that the mental health May Term was her favorite one that she’s done and that it “made her feel calm and relaxed.” Rubenstein got to spend quality time with her friends while doing activities like yoga and focusing on breathing exercises. The mental health May Term has been offered for several years and is the perfect option to pick if you need to de-stress from exams and step into summer.
Mrs. Driehaus, a history teacher who has been heavily involved in May Term, sees deep educational value in the experience. Driehaus said, “I think May Term can ignite the imagination.” One of her favorite activities is the civil rights trip she helps lead every other year. Students travel through historical landmarks in Birmingham, Selma, and Montgomery, Alabama, following the path of important Civil Rights Movements. “We cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge, just as the Freedom Fighters did in 1965,” Driehaus said. Driehaus made sure to highlight the importance of students learning history not just in the classroom, but by exploring where others have been.
May Term also provides teachers with a break from traditional instruction and a chance to learn with students. Driehaus stated, “It’s fun for all of us to learn something new.” She also had a role in coming up with Cincinnati Treasures, a May Term where students can visit different Cincinnati landmarks and places like Findlay Market, Union Terminal, and the American Sign Museum.
If you take a language class, Seven Hills offers unforgettable exchange trips. Spanish students visit Spain, French students go to France, Latin students go to Italy, and Chinese students have the opportunity to visit Taiwan. These trips aren’t available every year, but if you take a language class throughout high school, then you will have the opportunity to go on the trip once. For French and Spanish students, there are even exchange students who come to Cincinnati to visit our school and stay with their host student for 2 weeks.
Whether it’s learning to cook, contributing to a mural, visiting another country, or many more options, May Term has something engaging and fun for everyone. It’s a time to reflect on the year, explore, and bond with classmates before saying goodbye for summer. Both students and staff agree that May Term week is one of the most memorable parts of the Seven Hills experience.
