Wheatland students look to the past and future

January might just be the coldest, dullest month of the year. It's pretty much seen as a time of transition — getting used to going back to school, adjusting to the end of the holidays. It's also an awkward time because many people don't know whether to look forward or back into the past. In fact, many students are still writing 2009 at the top of their papers.

However, just because Christmas is over and those at Wheatland Union High School are doing more homework than ever (it's doubtful anybody would have made that resolution), there are still plenty of good memories from the previous year and, luckily, a lot of fun events to anticipate in 2010.

Sometimes it's easy to forget that at the beginning of last year, every student was one grade younger. For many, it feels like the new year begins in September, with the arrival of new classes and challenges, and that the true celebration doesn't take place at the typical time of year but after the school bell rings for the last time in June.

No doubt, many students have fond memories of the summer that resemble those of this past holiday break. There's nothing better than a little relaxation! For others, it's fun to think of things that happened during the previous school year.

Parker Wilson, a junior, shares his memory of the Martin Luther King Jr. community cleanup last January, remembering: "It was awesome. We found some of the strangest things! At the end of the cleanup, there was this giant pile of trash." His recollection brings to mind that the very same holiday is approaching soon on Monday.

Honoring King's memory and contributions is just one thing students can do to have some fun during the new semester, as the same event is taking place again this year on the holiday.

However, some students would rather just fast forward past the winter months and get back to playing their favorite spring sports, which include baseball, softball, golf and track.

Not to mention — the warmer the days get, the closer the end of the school and, for some, graduation looms. The biggest life change this year will come for seniors, who will experience things as adults for the first time as they step into the real world.

Others will return for another school year and already have things to look forward to. When asked what she was most excited about for 2010, Emma Willard, a sophomore, said, "Tennis season!"

Although a new decade began just two weeks ago, it's difficult to think beyond spring break or finals, not to mention what things went on last year. Who can imagine where those at WUHS will be in another 10 years? It may be hard getting through the transition back into school and schedules, but the future is still looking good for the Pirates.

Meghan Lasswell is a junior at Wheatland Union High School. Her column appears about every sixth week in Education.