The first day of high school brings a wave of emotions. Sure, it comes along with embarrassing Facebook posts and the start of a rigorous school year, but there’s an aura that comes with the first day that can’t be replicated.
Just like New Year’s Day, the first day is a symbolic and literal fresh start. Here at Bowling Green High School, the first day is filled with traditions for every grade; however, there is a stark contrast between the freshman and senior class. Anything can happen as highschoolers grow into themselves, and nothing marks this growth like the difference between the first day of freshman year and the first day of senior year.
Freshman: Although this is the last year of circular ‘60’s architecture for BGHS, it still lends the opportunity for new students to get lost.
“I got lost once, and someone helped me. It’s just because my classes are mainly downstairs,” said Ava Bloomfield, a freshman at BGHS.
The first day for freshman can be daunting, but Ava recounts that it wasn’t as chaotic as she expected. With the reputation of class of ‘23, it seems as if freshmen were more nervous about being picked on than previous classes.
Ava says, “Everyone hates us, but I feel like it’s just because of Tik Tok.”
Other than being picked on, freshman have to worry about new classes their first day. When asked about traditions, Ava says so far it’s just to drink lots of coffee and cry. As the years progress and students are able to drive, traditions on the first day become more special. Ava expects her last first day to be different from her freshman year because she thinks she will be ready. The first day of highschool marks the countdown for four years until graduation for freshman. However, when their last first day of high school comes around it’s a different story.
Senior: “One of the things that makes Bowling Green so special is the quantity of traditions that take place senior year: getting to stand in front of the student section at games, senior crowns, painting your car, senior shirts, the list goes on. It’s all familiar because students watch the traditions every year. But at the same time, it’s all new. The senior class has never been in this position. They’ve seen it take place each year, but they haven’t experienced it until now. However, despite all the fun experiences, school still requires work and studying,” said Max Payne.
“I feel that it is definitely a real thing because I’ve been doing the same type of school work for years now, and it’s getting really boring.”
Another unique part of the first day of senior year is the ability to reflect on who you have become in the past four years and how much you’ve changed from the timid freshman you once were.
“I honestly had no clue who I would become. I know that I didn’t love myself as much as I do now, and then I finally realized that loving yourself is the most important factor in someone’s happiness. It turned my life around,” said Payne.
No matter how tough some seniors try to act, senior year is an emotional time. Trying to figure out where you want to go in the next phase of life is no easy feat. That said, the last first day of high school brings some sappiness. Max comments on his last first day emotions,
“High school is really amazing, and one day, I’m going to wake up and not be able to see all these amazing people and teachers everyday, and it’s honestly going to be heartbreaking.”
Finally, Max provided some advice for freshmen as they take on a new journey.
“Enjoy everything about high school. Be open to people, share your feelings, express yourself every single day. High school is magical. You’ll find yourself, and you’ll find passions of yours that you had no clue that you had. So don’t ever worry about being the most popular or the coolest.”
No matter what grade you’re entering, the first day can seem like a drag. However, it’s important to remember that it will all be gone in the blink of an eye. From freshman to senior year not only does the first day of school change, but so do we.
Just like New Year’s Day, the first day is a symbolic and literal fresh start. Here at Bowling Green High School, the first day is filled with traditions for every grade; however, there is a stark contrast between the freshman and senior class. Anything can happen as highschoolers grow into themselves, and nothing marks this growth like the difference between the first day of freshman year and the first day of senior year.
Freshman: Although this is the last year of circular ‘60’s architecture for BGHS, it still lends the opportunity for new students to get lost.
“I got lost once, and someone helped me. It’s just because my classes are mainly downstairs,” said Ava Bloomfield, a freshman at BGHS.
The first day for freshman can be daunting, but Ava recounts that it wasn’t as chaotic as she expected. With the reputation of class of ‘23, it seems as if freshmen were more nervous about being picked on than previous classes.
Ava says, “Everyone hates us, but I feel like it’s just because of Tik Tok.”
Other than being picked on, freshman have to worry about new classes their first day. When asked about traditions, Ava says so far it’s just to drink lots of coffee and cry. As the years progress and students are able to drive, traditions on the first day become more special. Ava expects her last first day to be different from her freshman year because she thinks she will be ready. The first day of highschool marks the countdown for four years until graduation for freshman. However, when their last first day of high school comes around it’s a different story.
Senior: “One of the things that makes Bowling Green so special is the quantity of traditions that take place senior year: getting to stand in front of the student section at games, senior crowns, painting your car, senior shirts, the list goes on. It’s all familiar because students watch the traditions every year. But at the same time, it’s all new. The senior class has never been in this position. They’ve seen it take place each year, but they haven’t experienced it until now. However, despite all the fun experiences, school still requires work and studying,” said Max Payne.
“I feel that it is definitely a real thing because I’ve been doing the same type of school work for years now, and it’s getting really boring.”
Another unique part of the first day of senior year is the ability to reflect on who you have become in the past four years and how much you’ve changed from the timid freshman you once were.
“I honestly had no clue who I would become. I know that I didn’t love myself as much as I do now, and then I finally realized that loving yourself is the most important factor in someone’s happiness. It turned my life around,” said Payne.
No matter how tough some seniors try to act, senior year is an emotional time. Trying to figure out where you want to go in the next phase of life is no easy feat. That said, the last first day of high school brings some sappiness. Max comments on his last first day emotions,
“High school is really amazing, and one day, I’m going to wake up and not be able to see all these amazing people and teachers everyday, and it’s honestly going to be heartbreaking.”
Finally, Max provided some advice for freshmen as they take on a new journey.
“Enjoy everything about high school. Be open to people, share your feelings, express yourself every single day. High school is magical. You’ll find yourself, and you’ll find passions of yours that you had no clue that you had. So don’t ever worry about being the most popular or the coolest.”
No matter what grade you’re entering, the first day can seem like a drag. However, it’s important to remember that it will all be gone in the blink of an eye. From freshman to senior year not only does the first day of school change, but so do we.
By Maddie Woodrum