By: Megan Cohen
It’s a well-known fact that the freshman class is not the most loved group of kids, not just in Tuscarora but in practically every high school. Unfortunately (for them), it’s just the way things work. They’re the youngest in the school and the least experienced. Of course, freshmen’s age is not their fault, so obviously, any dislike for them is not personal. With the beginning of this school year comes the class of 2016, a group of students eager for high school but with much to learn. “I’m excited to be here, but it’s a big change,” says Karen Cassine, a freshman.
Freshmen are not oblivious to the typical thoughts some may harbor for them. “It’s understandable. We felt the same way about sixth graders last year in middle school,” admits Cassine. People have always known it’s about pecking order and that one day they will no longer be at the bottom. Not only do they understand, some even agree with the labels that they have been given. “Not everyone really understands the responsibilities that come with high school,” freshman Anam Rana points out.
The freshmen are young, but some try their best to not be a stereotypical ninth grader: annoying, clueless, and naïve. On the other hand, the juniors and seniors have been here much longer. In a way, it’s almost like an “invasion.” Tuscarora had become the upperclassmen’s home, and all of a sudden these new people have come pouring in.
Middle school and high school are so different, and throughout the year the freshmen will come to understand all the things they will need to know for the duration of their time here. Everyone was in their shoes at one point; everyone has to make the full transition to a high school student.
A majority of the time, resentment of the freshman class isn’t even a real problem at our school. The students in other classes are too focused on sports, academics, or clubs to even really mind. High school is where you transition into an adult, so a lot of upperclassmen don’t find situations like these important enough to get involved in. “If they don’t bother me, I won’t bother them,” says Margaret Knapp, a junior. For the most part, freshmen have nothing to worry about.
Even so, no one likes to be at the bottom of the totem pole. But they are willing to patiently wait for their year. “I’m mostly looking forward to getting to go to prom,” enthuses Jamie Chica, another ninth grader. And the Huskies respect each other—they don’t try to get in each other’s way, and a majority of them are too busy thinking about their respective futures, which, at the end of the day, will always be more important than class rivalry.
