As a freshman, going into high school is a strange and new environment. You are thrown into a whole new place with nothing but what you practiced.  

And as a senior, you walk through those same doors for the last year of the four-year journey. You are excited, but stressed, because the inevitable future is just in your midst. 

Classes started at Geneva Community High School on August 23, 2017. The very beginning for some, but the final stretch for others. No one quite knows how the 2017-18 school year will go, but the new comers and upper-class men’s attitudes will make it a great one.

Once confident eighth grade giants, now are feeling more like minnows as they head to the big blue sea known as GHS. Most are still a bit nervous, but as the days go on, the freshman start to get used to the larger setting. Freshman Cameron Coen states, [It’s a] bit intimidating at first, but you get used to it eventually. ”

While the lower-class men are adjusting, some are even surprised to find that high school was not as scary as they had originally thought. Tori Cornelson says, “Definitely a new scene. It’s a friendlier environment than I thought it would be.”

As for this year’s sophomores, their experiences as a freshman were quite to those of today. “I was terrified,” sophomore, Emma Ramirez says, “I wanted to be unnoticeable and just survive the day.” And being in tenth grade can be a bit of a stress relief. Abbey Detrich explains, “It’s a lot less stressful. I’m not always worrying about getting to classes, I’m a bit more relaxed.” 

As for seniors, the beginning of the school year for some, is not always a relaxing time. By the end of May, the blue caps and gowns will be on, and our class of 2018 will say their last farewells and head into their oncoming future. Senior, Penny Cornelson discusses what she plans to do this school year. “I’m focusing on having fun and reaching the goals and expectations for college.” And most seniors have the same plan for the 2017-18 school year. Make the most of it, while also keeping in mind that the “after high school” days are coming gradually closer. A couple of juniors this year, spoke their minds about what’s it going to be like for them and what they think the seniors are going through currently. “I don’t know, it would kind of be like the peak of everything,” Peter Mertka explains, “and like it’s the time to be thinking about your future.”

As for other junior Maggie Hendrian, she believes that there’s more coming, than what you’re leaving behind. “I think in some ways, it’s like the beginning of the end.” Other seniors this year, are enjoying their time being on top of the world. “…it’s exciting,” Ebony Trout states, “because you’re a senior, like the top of your class and everything.”

The positivity that the seniors here at GHS are putting out will make this upcoming fall a good start. They’re not afraid or nervous about graduation and beyond, because what most people believe, is not always as it seems. “…once you head through those doors, it’s like, now is the time to decide what you’re doing.” (Mertka).