by Ben Epple
As we enter May, students are already gearing up for their 10-week break. During summer, some students elect to visit the beach, while others relax by the pool. It is a simple question, but it evokes a relatively polarizing debate. To investigate this summer inquiry, I polled 50 students at Irvington High School. They were asked if they would prefer a perfect beach or pool.
After extensive data recording, a clear winner was decided. Initially, it appeared the pool would become victorious, with eight of the first ten students selecting it. Regardless, the beach made a valiant comeback, winning with 35 votes, or 70%.
Despite the common critiques of the ocean, including absurdly cold water and the unpleasantness of the sand, the beach’s praises were more prevalent. Students detailed that swimming on waves is incredibly fun and that pools tend to be repugnant.
Sophomore Leighton Volpe chose the beach because the water tends to be extremely clear. Additionally, she said she prefers “tanning at the beach, because it is more comfortable”, and that “there are more sights at the beach.”
Meanwhile, Joshua Diamond, in tenth grade, said that the pool is more calming. He also said, “I do not like being sandy, and I think the beach is too sunny”
In a separate poll, eight teachers shared their opinions. Seven, 87.5%, selected the beach. Despite the small data set, this further supported triumphant victory.
While the central survey pertained to optimal weather, conditions, and aesthetics, I also wanted to know if students’ opinions on the beach and pool would change if their quality were average. Only six out of thirty-five students changed their answer from beach to pool. However, nearly fifty percent (seven out of fifteen students) of students who chose pool switched their answers.
The beach has proved to be the place for Irvington High School students to spend the summer.
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