Throughout the year, students sing, play instruments, and dance in the atrium for class activities. However, the students crowding in the atrium during third block Jan. 20 were there for an entirely different reason — to take a break from school and unwind.

During all three lunches, students convened in the atrium to dance, play games, take photos, and try their luck at raffles. With colored lights and a DJ, the Party on the Patio gave students an opportunity to take a step away from their studies and have fun.

“I figured that I have a lot of tests today so it would be a good stress reliever,” Sophia Norton ‘19 said, “and something fun to do that’s not sticking your nose in a book all day.”

The idea of hosting a party to bring down students’ stress levels was initially brought up in a Principal Advisory Council meeting, where students discussed ways they could relax and unwind during the school day. In order to fulfill the need, students and Principal Mario Acosta created Party on the Patio.

“I liked that Mr. Acosta is trying to innovate stuff and give us a little break from school because school can get really stressful,” Brenda Salazar ‘18 said.

Overall, the Party on the Patio was a success during all lunches, and students showed up to dance and hang out with friends without the worry of school work.

“In life in general, you have to stay balanced,” Mr. Acosta said. “Whether you’re in a job or at school, you can work hard, but at some point you need to stop and rest and stay balanced. I want to help and make sure that I provide those opportunities for Westwood. Sometimes we just need to stop and have a good time.”