Everyone’s experience of their first year of high school is different. Whatever the case may be, everyone’s experience is unique. Recently, “The Hawk Eye” asked some freshmen what their year was like. 

Ace Freire-Serrano

How would you rate your freshman experience out of 10?

Freire-Serrano: “A solid six. I don’t get along with most of the students, probably because they all remind me of my younger siblings. They’re loud and obnoxious most of the time. Everyone makes fun of each other, and it gets to the point where it’s not a joke.”

What were you worried about?

Freire-Serrano: “I was worried everyone would be mean. I transferred in [October], and [I] worried I wouldn’t make any friends, but [theater teacher Chelsey] Thornbug’s class was very welcoming. Especially [one] friend who introduced me to a lot of my current friends.”

What surprised you?

Freire-Serrano: “[I was surprised that] the teachers were very different, since I came from a very conservative school. My old school was very strict country-ish. The teachers here, on the other hand, are laid-back and funny.”

What are things you would’ve done differently?

Freire-Serrano: “One thing I would go back in time and change is how I wore all my best outfits on the first days of school. Nowadays, I repeat outfits and suffer since the weather is very different from when I bought the clothes.”

What were your favorite memories?

Freire-Serrano: “Homecoming. Homecoming was fun — the DJ wasn’t great, but all the dancing made up for it. I [also] surprisingly enjoyed biology class. The teacher, Mr. [Steven] Hadidi, was really cool, had great jokes and is definitely one of the better teachers here, along with Mr. George.”

Addison Adams

How would you rate your freshman experience out of 10?

Adams: “Six. It was an average school year as far as things go. It was the same routine as in middle school, just with different teachers and layout. I really like the variety and range of the things I’m allowed to do though. The choir and orchestra programs are awesome.”

What were you worried about?

Adams: “I was always super worried about grades. That was all I could think of at the time. The standard stuff like friends and fights I really didn’t worry about.”

What surprised you?

Adams: “I was honestly surprised at how big everything is. The classes are big, the programs are big, even the campuses are big. It’s amazing.”

What are things you would’ve done differently?

Adams: “To be honest, I wish I branched out and joined more programs. I might as well be a permanent member of the going home club at this point. I really should have tried to audition for the musicals or join a swimming club. I am part of the anime club.”

What was your favorite memory?

Adams: “This is fairly recent, but my favorite memory so far was the choir spring show. It was so nice being up on stage doing the choreography with so many other people. The applause afterward will stick with me for a long time.”

Bree Andrews

How would you rate your freshman experience out of 10?

Andrews: “I’d rate it an 8/10. It was really nice, and I met so many new people. I did struggle with finding my group however. Everyone was welcoming and it truly made a difference.”

What were you worried about?

Andrews: “I thought it would be like the movies. I was worried I wasn’t cool enough and that everyone would judge me. Plus, being a ‘freshie,’ I thought the upperclassmen were going to hate me.”

What surprised you?

Andrews: “I was surprised when I realized that nobody cared about what you wore or what you did on the weekends. Sure, people are nice, but everyone is too caught up in their own lives to worry about yours. I was also surprised with how many clubs and events the school has.”

What are things you would’ve done differently?

Andrews: “If I could change anything, I would’ve kept my head up more and stayed confident with who I am. Same with worrying about what everyone else was worried about.”

What was your favorite memory?

Andrews: “It was probably completing a workout with my cross country team or running in meets. Honestly I’m kind of a jock, so anything sports-related I loved.”