The school year is almost coming to an end. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors are moving up a grade while the seniors graduate. The freshmen have done and experienced a lot of changes and adjustments due to the fact that this is their first year of high school. For example, having to navigate the building to their classes, just finding places around HAHS in general, or what is the best route on getting to gym if their class is on the opposite side of the school.

     Mia “Mika” Owens is one of these freshmen who have experienced a lot of change. When they first arrived here in HAHS, they were nervous and scared because of how big the high school seemed as they wondered how they would arrive to their classes on time. Some of their classes started off rough when they were getting situated now they feel more relaxed as the school year went on. Mika did make new friends, as well as losing some, and strengthening other friendships. They feel pretty positive about their future at HAHS stating, “…as long as the teachers are good, I will have a decent time, but the students being crazy will never change.”

     Another one of the freshmen who have experienced a lot of change is Meadow “Jayden” Henry. When they first arrived here in HAHS, they felt as if they were not ready for anything that the high school brings, they were extremely nervous for what they could experience, and stressed that their high school experience was going to be comparable to how it was down at the middle school. For their classes, they pointed out that the big difference coming to the high school was the fact that the teachers within those classes actually treat students like adults with responsibilities while also giving more freedom to the students. Jayden did lose some friends while making new ones and strengthening others which, in his opinion, “…it really shows how everyone can stick together and bring people closer.” In the present, Jayden feels more comfortable through his high school experience than his experience through middle school.

     A third freshman who has experienced a lot of change is Carice Hoppes. When she first walked through the doors of HAHS, she thought that the classes, the navigation, and dealing with people would be harder and more anxiety-inducing than last year in eighth grade which she later learned it was not. On their first day of school, Carice felt more nervous than she does now, but only because she knew that she had her friends by her side, so she knew it would be okay. Carice never really found her classes to be problematic due to the fact that she liked most of her instructor’s teaching styles and she knew that classes were to be expected. For Carice, she found it surprising that she made a bit more friends and she is thankful that she lost none of them.

     The last freshman who has experienced a lot of change is Serafina “Michael” Long. When they first walked through the doors of HAHS, they were extremely confused about where they were going until they asked a teacher for guidance. Michael felt a bit good, especially since he believes that the food at HAHS is better than Fleetwood’s and their classes went well. Michael made a few more friends during his time at HAHS, two at the start of the year and more near the end of the school year.