Legacy of Natalee Holloway; Parents Join Kids on Spring Break

In the aftermath of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway on Aruba, there have been many differences in how parents and students look at that annual right of passage known as Spring Break. One is a , “Break from Tradition: Parents Join Kids on Spring Break.”

The annual spring break trip is turning into a family affair for many students. Their parents say they’re going with them.

A local travel agency says more parents are traveling with their kids now because of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.
(WQOW)

Parents are taking notice of the events that have occurred in Aruba and “they want to make sure their kids play it safe.”

In other cases many college students plan to play it more safe and stay close to home as they have seen what occurs with laws and customs outside the United States; Co-Eds Plan To Play Safe During Spring Break, Some Concerned Over Holloway’s Disappearance.

But some are opting out of the tradition this year.

The unsolved disappearance of Natalie Holloway, 18, in Aruba last year has scared some students and their parents away from exotic destinations.

The message of the Natalee Holloway disappearance and subsequent investigation in Aruba is a much discussed event. As much as many wish to over look or down play the event as an isolated event; it is hardly isolated if it happened to one of your friends or family members. Safety is a huge issue and one that should never be taken lightly. One only needs to look at Natalee Holloway and her parents struggles for answers.

But the islands do have less of an appeal to some people, including Jill Swenson.

“I’m just going home, actually, to hang out with my family,” Swenson said.

Many kids are heading home, haunted by what happened to Holloway.

“I know it’s a concern of mine because my mom mentioned it to me when we were interested to Florida she was afraid of us going and it kind of affected my decision to stay home,” Swenson said.

The fact that individuals are learning from a horrendous situation that is the Natalee Holloway disappearance at least adds a silver lining to a very black cloud.