As the school year comes to an end and summer draws near, eighth graders anticipation for starting high school builds. Here’s what they have to say:

Ubani Ikone

What are you most excited for in high school?

“I’m looking forward to playing football in freshman year.”

What are you most worried about for high school?

“My fears are getting a B in a class, or failing a class.”

What differences do you see between middle school and high school?

“In high school, there are more expectations than middle school. High school is also on a different tempo. Here in middle school, you have the whole year to learn the course. But, in high school, you have August to December, so [classes] are faster.”

Leah Thomas

What are you most excited for in high school?

“I’m excited to meet new people, be in Belle Chanson (women’s varsity choir) and see how I survive while taking the highest available classes. I’m really looking forward to seeing where high school takes me through the next four years of my life.”

What are you most worried about for high school?

“Some fears I have are the workload, making new friends and being able to cope with change. There’s a big step from middle school to high school and many people have said that it takes some getting used to. I’m also slightly afraid of getting trampled in the main campus.”

What differences do you see between middle school and high school?

“I think that middle school will be different from high school in terms of the complexity of assignments, the people and the overall purpose. In high school, the assignments that we get are probably going to be harder and might require us to think in a different perspective than the normal way we are used to thinking in middle school. In high school, there will definitely be more/different people and I will have to really pick who I want by my side throughout high school. Another difference is that middle school is mostly made to be a bridge or a transition from elementary to high school, whereas high school is like a path leading up to one’s future.”

Tyler Kerch

What are you most excited for in high school?

“I think I’m going to enjoy being part of the drumline, because it’s my passion and I work really hard in it.”

What are you most worried about for high school?

“I think the workload is going to be really difficult, like almost triple of what I’m doing right now.”

What are you hoping to pursue in high school next year?

“I’m excited for drumline because I’ve worked up to it, and the past three years I’ve been preparing for it, so I’m really excited.”

Samir Sanjrani

What are you most excited for in high school?

“I think [high school] is going to be pretty good. I hope to make good grades and have some fun.”

What are you most worried about for high school?

“I’m fearing that people aren’t going to be as nice as you’d expect them to be, and not getting as good of grades.”

What are you hoping to pursue in high school next year?

“Acting because I’m going into theater. My ambitions are to get into theater and in choir.”

Sophia Mahmood 

What are you most excited for in high school?

“I’m excited to meet new people. It’s a little nerve racking, so I’m a little nervous because there are so many people, but it’ll be fun to make new friends.”

What are you most worried about for high school?

“I have an older sister, so I kind of know what it’s going to be like. I don’t really have high expectations because I know it’s going to suck, but it’ll be fine and I’m ready.”

What are you hoping to pursue in high school next year?

“I’m excited for either basketball or debate. Basketball because I love it and it’s a really big passion of mine; I’m excited to play with more girls and learn from them. I’m excited for debate because it’s something I have fun with, too. It’ll be really cool to be a part of the team and pursue that passion.”

Courtney Case

What are you most excited for in high school?

“I’m excited to meet new friends in cross country, choir and student council. I’m excited to be the ninth grade freshman representative, so I’ll be able to share my ideas and help the students in my school.”

What are you most worried about for high school?

“Maybe in choir I don’t do as well as I hoped or if I don’t do as well in my grades. But I’m pushing myself to work harder and do more things next year.”

What are you hoping to pursue in high school next year?

“I want to make A capella choir next year and I one day want to be a Student Council officer like the president whenever I’m a senior. I also want to do well in cross country and improve my times.”