The first week of high school can be overwhelming in many ways, such as new classes, teachers and experiences. The GHS class of 2029 got their first taste of high school on Aug. 13.
“I was nervous about not finding my classes and not finding friends,” freshman Meg Hoellen said. Since the new class came from Gretna Middle School, they have had to adapt. It can be difficult to find your way through an unfamiliar place for many. There are new hallways and stairs that students have to use to find their classes.
“I was more nervous about just finding my way in high school, but once I went to orientation and found it (my directions) out pretty quickly,” freshman Grant Stangl said. “I’ve never got lost yet, but I have used the map a lot.”
Gretna High School is simply much bigger than Gretna Middle.
“I still get lost. I just follow people who I know are in my classes,” Hoellen said. “There’s a lot more twists and turns. On the first day, I had to keep asking people where to go.”
Additionally, the change can bring lots of surprises that ninth graders may not expect.
“What surprised me the most is that the teachers are, like, laid back and chill compared to middle school,” freshman Leila Daro said.
The options student have are a different too.
“It surprised me how big the school was and all the different classes it has to offer,” Stangl said. “In middle school, you get set options. In high school, you get a bunch of options, and you get to pick them.”
Many see that as a positive.
“I like how you get to pick your classes,” freshman Braxton Boyd said.
There’s more mixing between younger and older students as well.
“You see a lot more people than you think you would, because in middle school it’s, like, divided where you mostly just see the people in your grade when you’re walking in the halls,” Daro said.
Going into the year, there are many big school events and activities coming up. Sports, clubs and activities get started and offer many ways for students to get involved with the school.
“I’m excited for dance team, like when we get into competition season, and our dance with cheer and football games,” Daro said.
There are also new opportunities to find classes students enjoy. Many students find what type of classes they gravitate towards quickly.
“I like journalism a lot because I have friends in there,” Hoellen said. “I just like talking about current events, and I like (adviser Tim) Kaldahl. I like him a lot.”
There are several more foreign language options available at GHS. These classes give students the chance to learn new languages and the history behind them.
“Honestly, I love Spanish. We have such a fun class, and Señora Muhs is the nicest teacher ever,” Daro said.
Finally, middle school is designed to help prepare many students for the next step in their education. However, many student adjust easily.
“I prefer high school, definitely, more than middle school,” Hoellen said. “It’s less scary than I thought.”
