With School Cancelled Teens Flock To Mall
by Laura Monteverdi, Reporter
January 31, 2013 6:05 PM
What is typically a slow day for the Empire Mall was actually a busy one on Thursday.
After dangerous wind chills caused 150 schools across the state to cancel school, groups of teenagers took to shopping as a way to escape the cold, and the boredom
“It's kind of cold outside so we thought the mall would be nice to shop around in," said Kendyl Kramer, an 8th grade student at O’Gorman Junior High.
Throngs of teenagers packed the food court and walked the aisles of the mall, enjoying a day they typically would be behind a desk.
“I have a lot of tests. I was supposed to today and now I don't have them and we don't have to wake up early!” said Ashlee Beacom, another 8th grade student at O’Gorman Junior High.
The day off was particularly special to Lincoln High School Junior, Vince Walker.
“It's my birthday and my friend Addison decided to take me to the mall and get something from the food court," explained Walker.
The newly 17-year-old would have preferred to play basketball with his friends on the day off, but the weather just wouldn't allow it.
"We had to stay indoors and find something to do," said Walker.
Teens weren't the only mall goers on Thursday. With school canceled, many parents had to skip work as well.
“I guess it's just nice to have the day off with the kids,” said Lisa Ketelhut.
Ketelhut is not only a parent, but also a teacher, and days off with her kids aren't that common.
“Prior to that we were in different schools so we didn't always get the day off together except for snow days so it's kind of nice,” explained Ketelhut.
