On Aug. 24, all students were welcomed back to the high school from summer break. Students were checked in through security and proceeded to go to homeroom for an extended 40 minutes. 

Senior Abigail Gensamer’s school schedule hasn’t changed, but her morning routine has.  

“I thought the first day went well, but it was a little hectic with security checks and getting to homerooms on time,” Gensamer said. “My morning routine was definitely different, and I had to make changes to it, but I think the first day is always nice to be able to catch up with friends and meet new teachers.” 

Gensamer adjusted her morning routine due to holding areas not being continued for students before going to homeroom. 

“Last year, you had to sit in a holding area before our homeroom, but this year, we just went straight to our homeroom,” Gensamer said. “This is really nice because you have time to study material for a test, or even see your teachers for extra help, and I think the change with holding areas was a major change to my morning.”

Junior Jacob Ceglar started his third year at the high school. 

“It was excellent. I found my way around and arrived at my classes without incident,” Ceglar said. “It was a little chaotic because of the morning checks, but what can one expect from the first day of school after being away all summer vacation.” 

Ceglar states that this year had began differently than last.

“No school year is identical, but two main things jumped out at me on the first day: no holding areas, and the cyber café in the lunchroom,” Ceglar said. “As I’m sure you know, in past years all students entering got held up in the holding areas (usually the gym or auditorium); this year, however, we were allowed to go straight to our reporting room.” 

Ceglar hopes the new changes to morning routines will stay.  

“This is a change I welcome, and I hope it will stay in place. The second change is the cyber café. In past years, it was open for all students, but this year it is reserved strictly for the Friends of Rachel club and the people it invites to the area. I’ve always sat at the main table in the café area, so the regular seating within the cafeteria is something I’m getting used to,” Ceglar said.

Sophomore Blake Riddle made adjustments to the way he came into school due to daily checks. 

“It was okay for a first day,” Riddle said. “It was also somewhat eventful in a way just because of everything they had us doing for the first few days and how chaotic the daily checks were at first.”

With the new school year, Riddle has already adjusted from being in the high school last year. 

“I loved getting to know who my new teachers were for this school year,” Riddle said. “I’m pretty much used to the high school setting from last year, it was very interesting finding out who I have for this year and where all of my classes are in the school.” 

Freshman Rylee Bush adjusted to switching classes between the two buildings. 

“It was very interesting,” Bush said. “It was stressful in a way because I got lost a lot trying to find where my classes were, but I ended up finding my way around both the A and B building, and I’ve adjusted to it.” 

Bush looks forward to different events to happen during the school year.  

“I loved getting to see the new building and interacting with my friends that I haven’t seen since last school year,” Bush said. “It was really nice getting to meet new people as well and I’m excited for what this school year is going to bring, what events are going to happen, and how this year will go.

For Bush, this is her first time learning in the high school which also included changes to her school routine. 

“Being in high school compared to being in the other school last year is a whole new level of different,” Bush said. “It’s definitely different being in a new school and new environment and having a new routine for classes.”