How do you feel when you hear the words, “first day of high school”? Some feel nervous, yet others are anxious and can’t wait to see their teachers. While freshman are just starting their first year, seniors are ending their four year chapter. 

The first day of freshman year is a rough, scary, and intimidating time for most, but for freshman Dylan Strokelitus it was a piece of cake. “On the first day of school I was not scared. I just looked at it like I was going into another school with all my friends, so I really had no bad thoughts about the high school,” Strokelitus said. Gwen Biddle’s day was also a piece of cake. “I wasn’t scared because I already was there before the first day of school for volleyball practice.” 

Walking into school can be a weird feeling, especially when you’re moving up a grade, with harder classes or getting used to everything if you’re new. “It was a lot different than when I walked in freshman year. I knew where everything was, knew more people and even though I was a little mad about summer ending, I was excited to see the people I only talk to in school,” sophmore Chase Fenstemacher said. In contrast, it’s a way for people to catch up with people they couldn’t hang out with in the summer. 

For some students, they didn’t want to see summer end, but for Caley Potts that was not the case. “As glad as I am to be graduating next year, I’m sad to think that this is my second to last year here at Pottsville Area High School. My teachers are very nice and it was exciting to see who was in my classes this year. I would really like to try and make friends with the underclassmen, like the seniors did with me,” Potts said. School was a great thing for Caley and she is going to miss the current seniors when they graduate in May. 

School can be super stressful especially for seniors because it’s going to be their last year as a high school student. “As happy as I am to be graduating, I’m also sad. I made so many memories here, but now I have to move on with the next chapter of my life,” senior Shannon Strickland said.

On the other hand, the upperclassmen look forward to making memories as they have in the past. “Out of everything, football games are most memorable. It’s the only school activity I’m involved in, but it makes me enjoy my Friday nights,” senior Isabella Woodford said. 

No matter what grade you are in, school can be overwhelming. However, there are some positive sides to it. Playing sports, involving yourself in band or even engaging yourself in different clubs can benefit your attitude during this school year.