It’s the first day of school, and everyone’s new shoes are squeaking against the floor tiles while they rush to find their new classes. The seniors might be strolling down the hallway stopping to say hi to all the friends they’ve missed over the summer. The juniors could be found with a heavy workload
filling their backpacks and the sophomores are close behind. However, it’s always clear which girls are the newbies, the rookies, or the freshmen.
Every girl at STA knows what this feels like. All students remember the nerves of freshmen year and the excitement of it: the overwhelming feeling of being at a new school with new people while also having so many exciting, fun experiences.
Freshmen Katherine Campbell and Mckinley Krantz voice how they are feeling with adjusting to high school. “It was definitely a little overwhelming at first because it seemed like everyone went to Vis and Academie Lafayette,” Krantz said. “But it wasn’t that hard, and everyone here is super friendly.”
Campbell echoed her concerns. “The first few weeks have been pretty overwhelming just getting to know how everything works with new teachers, new buildings and new everything,” Campbell said. “But it’s been easy to navigate because there’s so much like support here and people that are willing to help you. I like it better than my old school.”
Campbell and Krantz also highlighted how their grade school roots have affected their start at STA. “I went to Vis,” Campbell said.” I think Vis has the most amount of girls coming to STA from all the grade schools. But it’s been nice because some of my classes don’t have a lot of classes from Vis so I get to meet new girls.” However, Krantz didn’t have the same experience as she came from Barstow School. “I was the only one from my grade school that came to STA,” Krantz said.
Amidst all the chaos of starting high school, there are a variety of tools and resources at STA to help and support students. Krantz joined the cross country team this fall. “It was definitely helpful to go to the summer running before cross country and to get to know people before coming on the first day,” Krantz said. “I really like to run and it’s been really fun. Cross country has definitely made me feel welcome.”
Campbell also joined a fall sport, golf, and the math team, both of which have helped her make connections. “I’m playing golf and I’ve gotten to know people that I never thought I’d be friends with or get to know at all,” Campbell said. “That’s been really great. I’m also on the math team so I get to meet a variety of people there.”
One special opportunity for freshmen to get to know the school and their classmates better is the annual Freshmen Retreat, which was held on September 20th after a half-day schedule. The retreat centered around fostering friendship and familiarity within STA. Freshmen got the opportunity to meet other freshmen within their group as well as upperclassmen group leaders.
Despite these freshmen year jitters, Campbell and Krantz both agreed on how excited they are for their years ahead at STA. “ I really love the sisterhood aspect,” Campbell said. “I just felt really comfortable and at home here. I’m really looking forward to my time at STA.”
Every STA student has heard at one time or another something along the lines of, “Cherish your time at STA because it really does go by in a blink of an eye.” Three seniors, Madeline Knox, Callie London and Caroline Koehler, all look back at their time at STA as the last year of their high school experience begins.
As they remember their freshmen, sophomore and junior years, Knox and London reminisce on how they’ve grown. “I think the teachers have really helped me grow,” London said. “Their support has been really helpful and I like knowing that they want every student to succeed.”
Knox echoed those feelings. “I think I’ve grown into a better learner and become more open to opportunities and experiences,” Knox said. “My teachers have also really helped me grow as a person throughout my time at STA.”
Seniors London, Knox and Koehler also begin to feel the sorrows that come with your last year at STA. “I’m really going to miss all my friends and teachers, just the overall community of STA,” Koehler said.
Knox feels similarly. “I will miss hanging out with my friends during the school day, the campus and just all the support I’ve gotten from my teachers,” said Knox.
In addition, the senior Stars look back at their favorite experiences and memories at STA. Knox’s highlight was her time on the cross country team. “I’ve loved every single moment of being on the cross country team,” Knox said. “Even though running is hard, it’s so fun and I love the team.”
London also cherishes her time on a sports team, this time lacrosse. “I’ve really loved my experience on the lacrosse team,” London said. “I’ve made a lot of friends and memories through it.” Instead of sports, Koehler looks back on her fond times during the annual Interim week.
“One of my favorite things we do at STA is interim week,” Koehler said. “I really like how we get take classes beyond our regular ones while also easing back into school after the break.”
Overall, as seniors’ times at STA begin to wrap up, students start to feel the chaotic emotions that go along with it. With everything from nostalgia to excitement to sadness, the class of 2025 begins to think about their next chapters.
