Triton junior Andrew Balkus might not be the most festive at all times, but he will take Saint Patrick’s Day to the extreme, acting like a leprechaun for the day, and pinching anyone who doesn’t wear green.

To the joy of Balkus and others who love celebrating, the holiday seasons are creeping upon us, yet Triton students and their families seem to have different levels of festivity when celebrating. Some make the effort to lift their spirits, while others pay zero attention to the annual cheer. However, Balkus does both.

“Christmas is definitely the light of the year. Personally for me, those were the most magical, relivable times,” praises student Lucas Bistany.

As the temperature begins to cool during the fall and winter seasons, do you find yourself setting up decorations, carving pumpkins, or preparing for Christmas? It’s the time where people begin to set out Halloween decorations and sip on pumpkin spice lattes to savor this special time of year. Balkus will prepare for the festivities by dressing up in the most exotic outfits for each and every holiday, ranging from New Years Eve to the Fourth of July. Given that Christmas is usually celebrated the most, it’s odd that this student treats it like any other day. 

Balkus has always been full of energy and his joyful spirits are taken to the next level. Throughout the year, he takes annual dates to the max by expression through his clothes. A friend of Balkus, William Hight, notes, “I’ll see him wear Christmas sweaters every day of December.” Balkus added that he made it his mission to purchase a sweater for each week building up to Christmas day. 

Hight recalled a time where his Christmas tree was “disrespected,” by Balkus playing around with the memorable ornaments. 

Senior Liam Kneeland figured that given Balkus’s high energy personality, he would go all out for Christmas, but observed over the years that “Christmas doesn’t seem to be his favorite,” claims Kneeland. After speaking with Balkus, he admits that he only celebrates what he finds funny. He recalls a time during Saint Patrick’s Day where he drank four whole shamrock shakes from McDonalds, later throwing up the green ice cream blend. Kneeland recalls Balkus hurling off the deck of a friend’s house.

Balkus’s approach to being festive is most certainly unique in comparison to the general population, yet he is comfortable sharing and spreading his comical outfits year round, excluding the day where presents appear under the tree.