Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a commitment to fasting or giving up certain types of luxuries as a form of penitence typically lasting six weeks leading up to Easter Sunday. Various students are participating in Lent this year.
“I do it because of my religion. It’s just something I wanted to do for myself too,” said junior Tanya Villalobos.
Villalobos gave up caffeinated drinks such as soda and coffee.
“I’m addicted to it,” said Villalobos.
Junior Ruby Espinoza gave up Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, chips, and soda.
“I needed to give up something, and that was something I had every day,” said Espinoza, who has been denying herself simple pleasures since she was in fourth grade. Her family is also participating in Lent. Although she is giving up a number of things, she is not worried about giving into temptation.
“It’s not that difficult, like Twitter is not that hard to give up, neither is soda,” said Espinoza.
Sophomore Noah Antony also gave up Twitter for Lent.
“I get on it way too much,” said Antony.
While some students give up physical luxuries or social media, others take a different approach.
“I gave up sarcasm. I feel that I use it a lot. It’ll be really hard because I really like using sarcasm,” said junior Drew Swalley, who was originally going to give up sweet team. He decided otherwise because it would be too challenging.
For many Catholics, Lent is not just about giving up a personal luxury. Lent also includes not eating meat on Friday of the six weeks of Lent until Easter.
“It’s like fish is the substitute. I just mostly eat sandwiches, like peanut butter,” said Antony.
Villalobos does not eat meat on Fridays during Lent.
“Usually it’s fish and if not like, spaghetti with no meat and sushi,” said Villalobos.
Swalley and his family also partake in not eating meat on Fridays.
“We only eat fish,” said Swalley.