Time for a fresh start at LOHS

For most high school students, the words "back to school" bring about thoughts of what new outfits will be worn, which classes will be taken and why that annoying alarm clock is ringing so early in the morning.

For the students at Live Oak High School, however, the routine feelings of "back to school" have morphed into much more serious yet amusing thoughts. For those of you who do not know, the LOHS campus is undergoing the effects of a major construction frenzy. The new challenges we face consist of: "Where exactly is the English department located?"; "What happened to our senior parking lot?"; and "Where have they moved all of the lockers?"

As a senior, I have found the new hustle and bustle to be quite entertaining. Ricardo Camarena, a junior, has a little different outlook. When asked how he was dealing with the new layout, he stated, "Quite frankly, I've been adjusting to the construction at our school with no problems. I think it's real cool, and I am truly grateful for this experience."

For the staff, on the other hand, it has been an enormous change that has been taken with positive attitudes and much patience. In the words of my father, David Anderson, who also happens to be the government/economics teacher for the senior class: "I can now get out of the parking lot faster, and my hallway is much quieter."

As you can see, we are all taking the changes with a good sense of humor.

Even with the disarray taking place throughout the campus, LOHS is still in full swing. The academic expectations are higher than ever, the staff continues to be dedicated to excellence and the students are prepared for class, ready to learn.

Along with that, the fall sports teams have been practicing for weeks now. Our entire football program has a new staff, headed by varsity coach Dan Johnson, who is also the wood shop teacher. Our section title tennis team is also back on the court, with matches starting next week.

Many clubs are also beginning. Link Crew welcomed freshman students the day before school started with a daylong orientation filled with team-building activities and advice about adjusting to their high school experience.

Freshman Yolanda Arellano said that the orientation "gave me an idea on how high school was going to be, and how we need to balance things out with school and sports."

LOHS is the center of the Live Oak community and continues to provide not only a great education to its students, but also a second home to the teens of the town. This year is bound to be filled with new obstacles, but more importantly with entertaining activities and fresh starts for all.

Melissa Anderson is a senior at Live Oak High School. Her column appears about every sixth week in Education.