The Dart: Children enjoy what’s left of summer

Published 12:01 am Monday, July 29, 2013

Alexis Yates, far left, laughs while talking about how she is spending her summer with her friend Lilly Garrett, center, and her older sister Bailey Yates, far right, on Wednesday afternoon. The trio were spending much of the day Wednesday outside enjoying the temporarily cooler weather. (Jay Sowers \ The Natchez Democrat)

Alexis Yates, far left, laughs while talking about how she is spending her summer with her friend Lilly Garrett, center, and her older sister Bailey Yates, far right, on Wednesday afternoon. The trio were spending much of the day Wednesday outside enjoying the temporarily cooler weather. (Jay Sowers \ The Natchez Democrat)

VIDALIA — With the summer winding down, time for vacations is running out, and back-to-school jitters are beginning.

When The Dart landed on Alabama Street Wednesday afternoon, it found three area school children enjoying their final few days of summer.

Lily Garrett, 7, and Alexis Yates, 9, were riding a bike and scooter, respectively. Yates’ sister Bailey Yates, 13 was inside relaxing.

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“We like to ride around the neighborhood and sometimes see some of our friends,” Alexis Yates said. “When we get back we like to watch movies sometimes.”

She said playing an orphan in “Annie” at the Natchez Little Theatre was one of her most memorable summer activities.

Bailey Yates said she likes to spend hot summer days swimming and visiting her grandma’s house.

But with the end of summer, comes the start of the 2013-2014 school year, beginning on Aug. 9 for Concordia Parish Schools.

Garrett said she was excited to get back in the classroom.

“I like going to school,” Garrett said. “I’m actually kind of a teacher’s pet. I don’t like doing homework a lot though.”

Her friends weren’t quite as enthusiastic.

Bailey Yates said she was sad that some of her friends were transferring to the new charter school in the parish — Delta Charter School.

“I won’t get to see them every day at school anymore,” she said. “I’m also not that excited to be in eighth grade. That means I’m almost in high school.”

But she wasn’t entirely upset about summer ending.

“The one good thing about going back to school is that I can see my friends more often again,” Bailey Yates said.

The beginning of school also means asking parents for new clothes and school supplies.

Garrett said she was particularly interested in getting a new backpack.

“I just want a backpack that can match my shoes,” she said.

Summer fun isn’t entirely over for Bailey Yates and Alexis Yates. They plan to take one more vacation.

“We are going to Blue Bayou waterpark soon,” Alexis Yates said. “That’s going to be a lot more fun than school.”