Sandy stole my candy and my grandmother’s beach house.  This is unfortunately a common complaint after super storm Sandy, which made landfall on Monday evening, October 29^th, blew through the New York-New Jersey area. That previous week, it is fair say that no one anticipated this storm’s severity and lasting impact.  I specifically remember telling my friends and teachers, “See you Monday” on Friday October 26^th, not realizing the danger that the school, New Jersey, and I were about to experience.

After the storm hit, and everyone was still shell-shocked, the last thing on my mind was Halloween.  The destruction across the state led Governor Christie to reschedule the joyous holiday to later in the week. However, for the residence of Middletown Township, with sidewalks and roads still in disrepair, Halloween would again be rescheduled to Sunday November 11^th, with the festivities to be celebrated in the parking lots of local schools. This is where the term “Trunk or Treating” was born.

A mixture of three different powerful weather systems, a Nor’ester approaching from the west, a low pressure system to the north, and a hurricane approaching from the south, super storm Sandy was a historic weather occurrence. The devastation was widespread, and many families and students in the community were displaced. Downed power lines left everyone stranded without power, the lucky ones a few days, and others up to two weeks and counting. Many Students, specifically seniors who were left electronically crippled by these power outages panicked about November 1^st deadlines that passed by.  Thankfully, most colleges have extended them.

However, if those whose biggest worry was college application deadlines, they were the lucky ones.  Students who have lost their homes and parents who have lost businesses will feel the impact of Sandy for years to come. This school year, permanently scarred by a two week break, spawned by a state of emergency will have lasting implications.  Already the effect of seven unscheduled days off has been experienced.  With half days eliminated and previously scheduled days off canceled, the ramifications are just beginning. As Middletown High School North and the rest of the Northeast try to transition back to some form of reality, I am positive it will be an event that will never be forgotten.

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