Winter break is a great time for high school students. It’s a time to kick back, relax, and let loose. Many students will be celebrating various holidays and traveling to different destinations during break. “I will probably be putting a Christmas tree up and opening presents with family,” freshman Dylan Parle said. “I also plan to travel to the Principality of Liechtenstein to bake cookies and give them to the local children.” If you do not have the chance to travel to the Principality of Liechtenstein, there are plenty of helpful things to do here in Ames. For instance, if you are in the helping mood you could sing carols at a retirement home, or volunteer your time at a non-profit business such as the Ames Public Library. Junior Pasha Beresnev has other winter break plans, “I will most likely play a lot of sports: basketball, hockey, and maybe some tennis. I will probably go shopping a little bit also.” If you feel like going shopping, but getting out of Ames, the Jordan Creek mall in West Des Moines is a popular spot to shop with many people. “I’m just going to stay in town and hang out. I would have gone to a bowl game like I usually do, but Iowa State didn’t make one,” sophomore Ben Jones said. “Also I’m going to Marshalltown on Christmas.” For students who are staying in town, there are plenty of activities to take part in. Try going to an ISU basketball game. The men’s team is home Dec. 23 at 2:00 p.m. against Southeast Missouri State, and Dec. 31 at 2 p.m. against North Dakota State. The women’s team is home Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. against Illinois State, Dec. 28 at 8 p.m. against Colgate, Friday, Dec. 29 against Utah State, and Dec. 30 at 8:30 p.m. against Loyola Marymount. So from just going to a ISU basketball game to baking cookies for children in the Principality of Liechtenstein, their will be plenty of things to do for Ames High students this break.