Incoming freshmen offer guidance to the senior class
by Josie Stewart, ’21
Bright-eyed and unknowing freshmen enter UAHS struggling to find their way through the hallways amidst the towering upperclassmen. Students come into the school with a vision of what the building, classes and other students are like as they continuously receive advice from others, but the incoming freshmen now offer their guidance to senior peers.
“Always look for a freshman to help and to be nice to. You could make someone’s day or week. The school is very overwhelming to us and a senior helping would mean the world,” freshman Kate Kershner said via text.
Kershner is also familiar with “senioritis,” but advises students not to lose motivation.
“Remember you were once a beginner, too. Being a senior, you think you have it all down but this year is still very important. All seniors should be giving as much effort as you did when you started,” Kershner said.
Freshman Sulley Boschert offers guidance as his sister, Joey, begins her senior year.
“You’ve gotten so used to the school that I would do other things than just work as hard as you can the entire year. Have the experiences you want to have. Just live a little,” Boschert said. Ending his advice, he reminds students of the naiveness of freshmen: “Most importantly—don’t make purple.”
“Have the experiences you want to have. Just live a little.”
Freshman Sulley Boschsert
Neila Sarkis who has yet to experience life in UAHS, draws from her transition into eighth grade from seventh to give seniors advice.
“Remember what is was like being in ninth grade, so eager to enter high school. Don’t be so quick to let it all go because soon enough you will miss it,” Sarkis said via text. “I know lots of seniors are ready to leave Upper Arlington for good. They’re ready to be free and start their own new and exciting lives. Ready to meet new people, see new places, learn new things and make new memories. My advice is to slow down. Enjoy the time that you still have here. Even though your future is important, remember to still live in the present.”
Whether the newbies in the school are offering words to simply stay safe or imagining themselves as seniors preparing for a new path, both the freshmen and seniors could use advice in surviving the first of what seems like many, or the last of four fast years.
“We’re anxiously waiting to enter high school while seniors are anxiously waiting to leave,” Sarkis said. “We are both ready to start new chapters in our life, but it’s important to make these years as memorable as we can.”