Only five more months

A new year has begun for the rest of the world, but for most students at Wheatland Union High School, it's only half over. Christmas break has ended and it's time for a new semester to start, with a few new students to join in. Some are elated; some tolerate it; and still others only begrudgingly greet the day.

For Noah Ocker, a freshman, school is an enjoyable time that he looks forward to: "It's been good (the year so far); I can't really complain. I like coming to school. I think it's a good school, good people."

Another freshman, Deana Brannan, feels much the same way. "It's been pretty fun, and, yeah, I enjoy coming to school," she said.

While freshmen still tend to be feeling pretty good about school this time of year, others who have been around longer are not too happy with it — especially when senioritis kicks in.

Ashley Phillips, a senior, had this to say about coming back from winter break and school in general: "It feels weird, like I'm still trying to get into the cycle and everything. I'd rather not come to school; I'd rather sit at home and play 'Assassin's Creed.' I don't like having to get up that early. When I'm on breaks and on the weekends, I tend to sleep until noon."

After the two extremes, there are many people left in the middle who tend to be in the middle grades. Anthony Bertolini, a sophomore, has mixed feelings about school: "It's a relief to come back because I get to see my friends. I live far away, so it's nice to see them again, but it's kind of a drag because I don't like school; I'm a musician and I'd rather be at home playing my guitar."

I personally have to agree with the part about getting up early, but still find school something to look forward to, both because of the chance to learn new things and to see friends.

The beginning of a new semester also means many students are changing their schedules, either because they don't like a class or need to fulfill school requirements. The attendance office, especially on the first day, is absolute chaos, but the counselors and administrators keep admirably cool heads through it all.

Mrs. Bishop, the lady on the front line, had this to say about the first day and the start of a new semester: "It's a little overwhelming because there were 30 kids here when I got to school at 7:30. So, yeah, sometimes it's a little trying to get that all organized. I think a new semester is a time for change and a time for kids to fix mistakes that they've made and start anew, to start making that New Year's resolution to do your homework."

It takes about the first month of school for the dust to settle here, but in the end, it's all worth it for the staff and the students when kids get to leave happy and seniors are able to walk at graduation.

Toni Bailey is a senior at Wheatland Union High School. Her column appears every six weeks in Education.