The first semester at YHS is over! I made it my mission to find out how the first two quarters of the 2023 school year went. Let’s dive into it!
At the beginning of the semester, after lots of hard work and dedication, there were big wins for our football, field hockey, and volleyball teams. The cross country team, girls and boys, made it to states! The boys’ and girls’ soccer teams also made it to states and won! On a more artistic note, the Yarmouth playmakers put together a showstopper. They put on not one, not two, not even three, but four successful and well-produced showings of Curtains the Musical. The chorus and band also had incredible performances, including their winter concerts and performing at the winter music assembly. I can’t wait to see what our sports teams and music and performing arts groups do next!
Not only have the YHS students been dedicating themselves to sports and the arts, but they have also been working hard at academics. I interviewed freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors to see how the semester was going for them. The first group I talked to was a couple of sophomores. One of them was waiting for drivers’ ed with me. First, I asked the group, “How is your year going?”
They told me, “It’s going well, but it’s definitely a step up from freshman year.”
Next, I asked them how their stress levels were this semester. They said that sophomore year, so far, isn’t that much more stressful than freshman year, but it feels like they have a “big thing every week.” They also said that having a lot of sports and activities makes it more stressful. With no study hall, they each have around 3-5 hours of homework a night. Also, they wanted to make sure I included that “Ms. Hagstorm is the best teacher, and she should get a raise, and we like how she lets you retake tests.”
Next up I talked to a senior who is very involved in school and does sports and clubs. He is also taking mostly AP classes. He says that the course selection senior year “has a lot of freedom” and that he likes how he gets to take classes he is interested in. He also said that it has been easier than his junior year and “Overall it’s pretty chill and not that big of a deal.” He explained that a lot of senior year is about getting college squared away, and that has been his main focus. When explaining how he felt about being a senior, and the oldest in the school, he said that people are nice to him. He also mentioned that since he has been in the school for four years he has a good relationship with his teachers and that they seem nicer to him than they seemed as an underclassman. He added that as a senior, “people make way for you in the hallways.”
Next, I talked to some freshmen while we were at lunch. First, I asked them how high school is, compared to middle school so far. They said that it’s much better than middle school. They like the schedule, the longer classes, and their teachers. They also like having advisor time, and how the connection between grades is a lot stronger than in middle school. When asked about how it feels to be the youngest in the school, they said that, at first, it was intimidating. After getting to know the older students, however, they realized that they were “really nice.” “We love the upperclassmen,” they said. We talked about stress levels, and we all agreed that Freshman year so far has been “busy.” However, they said that the work is very manageable and better than they thought.
Lastly, I talked to two different juniors. One of them said that she is taking three AP classes on blue days, and that balancing her extracurriculars, social life, and school work has been a challenge, but she has been able to manage it. “I go to Nordic practice, then I come home and eat some food. Often in the evening, I’ll have to call friends from Maine Youth Climate Justice… I’ll do my homework, and if I have time I’ll practice piano or guitar.” That is one busy junior! The other one I talked to said that “it has been busy” she likes her classes and that her junior year is going well.
It sounds like everyone has had an exciting, but busy start to the year. Hopefully, the next semester will be even better. Congratulations on finishing the first half of your freshman, sophomore, junior or senior year!