On Friday, January 30, 2015, the eighth graders came to see where they’ll be spending the next four years of their lives. They went into the auditorium where juniors like Cassidy Bowles and Damarcus Wimbush spoke to them about the rules and sports clubs. Mrs. Clark-Williams explained to them all the opportunities they’ll have by putting forth some effort academically. Mrs. Brown also came in to speak to them and specifically explained the dress code. She mentioned that she was retiring in the midst of her talk, and that the students should try their best in behaving for the next principal.

During the actual tour, the students met their possible teachers in the future. The students got an idea of the things they’ll learn in the basic four core classes and possible classes they’ll have when they’re older. Most of them were caught off guard by some teachers when they heard of the possibility of homework every night. However, the current ninth graders reassured them that it wasn’t that bad. They had many questions and comments about how the school days work, but the tour guides gladly calmed their nerves.

Eighth grader, Yvette Lopez, was one of the many students on the tour. She said, “It was good to see the high school before I actually go up there because you get to see where everything is and all the different teachers I might have as well as the classes.” She also said her tour guides were a big help because they gave a better perspective of everything. Lopez said she was not intimidated by the older students who were the guides and the long hallways because the guides were really welcoming and the hallways were just longer than what she’s used to. When talking about leaving middle school and going to high school she said, “It feels great to finally leave the middle school and go up to the high school because it’s a step closer to becoming an adult and what career I’m going to have as well. I’ll miss the encore classes and some of my teachers, but that’s about it.”

As the students left, they gave big thank you’s to the guides and the teachers that spoke to them. Some of the high school students were also very happy to have seen their old teachers. The future freshmen remind them of their eighth grade tour and all the mixed emotions that come with it. These students will surely transition into high school fairly easy. The student body will welcome them with big smiles and open arms.