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Sarah Hill’s fourth period English II class participated in Zen Day Thursday, May 9. This tradition within her classroom is an extra credit assignment for those who can go all day without using technology. If a student uses technology during the day they lose points towards the amount of extra credit they can earn. All technology use is banned except for devices that people must use, such as cars. The point is to “disconnect from all of the modern distractions,” according to Mrs. Hill.

During Mrs. Hill’s class on Thursday, she and her students went outside to the Japanese garden between the third and fourth wing. Relaxing music was played while the class meditated. They also wrote haikus that could be about nature or the three pillars of Zen which include Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.

“[Zen Day] was fun, Ms. Hill really likes Zen Day and gets really into it,” said Maggie Cummings. Mrs. Wimberly’s class was taking a test while the music was playing, and students in that class appreciated the relaxed vibe it gave them.

“I actually did go the entire day without using technology, which was interesting, and harder than I thought it was going to be,” said Cummings when asked if she successfully participated in Zen Day.

The class learns about different Asian beliefs during the Eastern Asia unit, which is why the class participates in Zen Day. “Zen Day is not an actual holiday. I just try to pick a day within our unit when the weather will be nice,” said Mrs. Hill.

Zen in itself is an abstract concept but it translates into the word “meditation.” Having zen is feeling peace within oneself and it is less of a religion than just a theory to live by. It originated from the Mahayana Buddhist school in Japan.