Scheduling Scramble

In the middle of January, the junior, sophomore, and freshman classes were presented with scheduling information for the 2019-2020 school year in the auditorium. During the presentations, students were given information about what classes they are able and suggested to take in the coming year. “This is like shopping on Amazon. You’re going to find the classes you want, and you’re going to add it to your shopping cart. Then, when you’re all done your shopping cart, that’s when you’re done your schedule,” Mrs. Mary Beth Conville, junior and senior guidance counselor, said.

Each student is required to take at least 21 credits throughout their entire high school career to earn a diploma. Each student must also have four english credits, four social studies credits, three math credits, three science credits and two arts/humanities credits. It is recommended that students take health and physical education as freshmen. Every other course is completely up to the drive, motivation and future career plan of the student.

Some students, such as freshman Haley Gauntlett, eliminated courses they would never take. “I’m definitely not planning to take any art classes next year. I wouldn’t take these courses because I am not artistic at all,” Gauntlett said.

On the other hand, some students, such as junior Adam Kelly, chose to enroll in courses that will benefit their planned future careers. Kelly said, “Physiology and AP Biology are science classes that will help me get used to the information I will be learning in college. I will be majoring in biology on a pre-med track to become an orthopedic surgeon, so strong science classes are necessary. I will also be taking AP Language and Composition and AP Literature and Composition because I will need to be able to speak and write at a very sophisticated level. I would love to work with athletes, and an orthopedic surgeon can fix many of the injuries that athletes sustain.”

Other students, such as junior Jayme Miller, decided to include Work Study in their schedules. “I’m excited to enroll in Work Study because it will be a good way for me to save money for college the following year. I’m always excited for the change, since we’re accustomed to a full school day. To have extra time in my day to finish homework and study my materials will be nice. I aspire to be a forensic accountant because of the passion I’ve found in both numbers and criminal justice; nothing thus far has interested me more than investigating fraud. I’ve previously taken Criminal Justice and plan to take Business Law and Accounting Principles to help me in my endeavours,” Miller said.

A majority of teachers have also recommended courses for their students to take in future years at the high school. “I’m excited to take chemistry honors next year. The course was recommended by Mrs. K, and a lot of my friends are taking it,” said freshman Chase Fenstermacher.

Many students have also been looking into what courses would be most beneficial towards their dream careers. “My history and math courses will play a big part in my future career. I plan on going into college for something business-minded. Having a good background on historical business deals and transactions, as well as complex math, will improve my number sense to ultimately help me succeed to my fullest extent in my field,” sophomore Luke Knarr said.

Sophomore Emma Stamm stated, “I’m very excited to take classes like Myth and Legend and Photography. I’ve always been fascinated by myths and always wanted to know more about them. As for photography, I absolutely love taking pictures of many different things from different aspects. I feel like these classes could widen my education and further intensify my passion for both. I’m not quite sure if anybody I know is also taking these classes. I also plan to take Chemistry honors and Genetics honors. Those classes would be super beneficial for my future career. I plan to be an ER doctor or a trauma surgeon. I plan on doing that career because I love helping people. I’m extremely kind and I’m the type of person to help someone out any way I can. I’ve always been intrigued by medicine and the human body, and it’s something that many of my family members do. It’d be unreal to be able to help people all the time, and it’s something I would absolutely love.”