On August 30, freshmen all across the district packed their backpacks, said goodbye to their families, and left their houses to begin the first day of their high school careers. With the wide variety of courses and friendly faces here at Foran, it’s certain that no two students had the same experiences with their ninth grade debuts.
The first day in a brand-new environment proves to be nerve-wracking for many new students. Freshmen following their schedules for the first time may find the vast expanse of the school challenging. Freshman Madeline Salai attests to this, expressing that she got lost a couple of times during her starting day.
“I didn’t know where the main office was, so I couldn’t find my way to the Human Growth and Development room, and I kept mixing up the hall colors,” Salai shares.
The overwhelming layout of the school is not the only worry for newcomers. In addition to getting lost, freshman Khushvir Saini had more on his mind.
“I felt nervous about class being hard and not having friends in class,” Saini admits. “I also felt excited about new opportunities and experiences that I could face in high school.”
Regardless of his worries, Saini reports that his first day in a fresh environment was beyond what he had expected.
“I really enjoyed my classes, meeting old friends and making some new ones,” he mentions.
Members of the Natural Helpers organization at Foran act as a helpful resource to struggling freshmen, aiding the new class in their first day confusion. Senior and Natural Helpers officer Erin Schmitt gives her opinion on the class of 2027’s first day.
“I think the first day went great for the freshmen,” Schmitt comments. She reminisces on her freshman year and the similar obstacles that she faced.
“A couple of them came up to me to ask for directions, and I was proud that they had the confidence to ask for help when they needed it, which was not something I had the confidence to do when I was a freshman,” she says.
Being confident and calm on the first day in unfamiliar surroundings is not an easy task. Assistant Principal and freshman advisor Mrs. Beth Gilman offers some helpful advice to the new generation of learners to quell any nerves.
“The most important thing is to get involved in school. Whatever you choose, it makes the experience so much richer. We have a lot of fun things planned for all of our students, but particularly our freshmen, so we’re really hoping they enjoy their experience transitioning to Foran,” Gilman states.
Despite any first-day jitters, it’s evident that the Foran newcomers have a year full of opportunity to look forward to. Freshman Valentina Palisi explains her excitement for the year.
“It’s a huge change, but it’s exciting because it’s the next big chapter filled with learning, growth, and meeting new people.” Palisi divulges.
