Silence is often thought of as comforting, calming, or even a little eerie. No matter what feeling it evokes, silence is always present—sometimes even in the loudest places.
The Contrast of Silence and Noise
When people think of silence, they might picture a library or an empty road, but quiet moments exist everywhere in daily life. For every crowded and noisy space, there is an equally empty and hushed one. While a concert hall fills with booming music and bursts of laughter, the streets outside sit still, lined with cars waiting for their owners. When one room in a home overflows with conversation and warmth, the others remain undisturbed. Silence is more than just an absence of sound—it carries its own weight, offering clarity amid the chaos.
A Street at Rest
An empty, dark street can be one of the most peaceful places to reflect. The stillness of a normally busy and bright space can feel warm and freeing for a stressed-out student. At the same time, it can create an eerie sense of uncertainty, making passersby uneasy about the unknown.
A Library’s Quiet Embrace
West Chicago Community High School’s Learning Resource Center (LRC) houses a vast collection of books, each offering a different story waiting to be discovered in its quiet, cozy environment. The silence of the library serves as a blank canvas, allowing every detail of an enthralling story to come to life.
For some, this quiet space fosters connection.
“I think true friendships are places where you can have super deep conversations, you can have hysterical laughing times together, but you can also have times of just quiet,” ESL teacher and avid reader Mark Poulterer said.
A Student’s Focus
Senior Eilynne Hernandez immerses herself in her homework at the end of the day, embracing the stillness of the library. With a single AirPod in, she tunes out the faint sounds of others, using the quiet to concentrate.
“Silence is a peaceful thing – most of the time,” Hernandez said.
The Beauty of an Empty Staircase
An empty staircase leading to the language classrooms takes on a different meaning without the usual foot traffic. Shadows and contrast highlight its structure, making it picturesque in its solitude.
“There were these Desert Fathers in ancient times who lived in silence,” Poulterer said. “I think they had something we don’t have today. We don’t know how to live in silence.”
The Stillness of the Hallways
The typically bustling halls of WEGO take a breath while students focus in their classrooms. Without movement, the dim lights cast a sense of stillness, the space waiting for the next wave of footsteps to bring it back to life.
A Place for Words Without Sound
Books and libraries alike are often viewed as havens of peace. Libraries remain silent so readers can lose themselves in other worlds and studiers can focus without distraction.
“I feel like in silence, words can be replaced to entertain or communicate with one another, helping people understand each other better,” senior Itzely Sanchez said.
Finding the Quiet
Next time, take a moment to notice the silence; appreciate all that quietness has to offer.
