As the class of 2020 athletes, band members, theatre cast members, future class office holders, and future club members and presidents walk through the main doors of Verona High School, they were filled with expectations and nerves while also walking into the next four years of their lives.

Freshman Olivia Vogel was looking forward to the change of atmosphere from the “boring middle school.” Classmate Vincent Hogan similarly could not wait to enroll in the variety of electives that the high school had to offer.  Vogel spoke for most fellow freshmen when he said that he was excited for the change of learning pace.

The part of the new learning method that especially excited Sarah Sexton was the “bring your own device” policy. Henry Wertz said he could not wait to be surrounded by mature students who actually respected the learning environment.

While the freshmen class had one eye looking forward to new classes, the other was twitching with nerves. Henry is taking the one Advanced Placement class freshmen are allowed to take – AP Modern World History. It is a big jump from middle school courses to a class that can get you college credits. Another daunting change was the rotating block schedule. The freshman were accustomed to having a consistent schedule, and had to make the adjustment to the daily-changing schedule.  

“I still have my (high school) schedule as my phone lock screen,” says Clara Frizzi, as she tries to figure it out.

Not all freshmen are as lucky as Henry Wertz to be so familiar with the high school.  Due to his multiple visits to the school with his dad, computer science and calculus teacher Rich Wertz, Henry knew his way around. Olivia, Sarah, and Vincent Hogan all agree that at first the high school was confusing, but after a month they had all gotten a hang of the schedule and building layout. They are are thankful that their original anxiety was really nothing to worry about.

After a month to settle in to the new atmosphere and relieve the beginning of the school year stress, the freshman are starting to find things that make them feel comfortable in the high school. Soccer players Olivia and Vincent like the new friends the athletic component of the high school has brought them.

Similarly, Sarah enjoys the multiple theatre and play options to participate in.

“In middle school, we only had the spring play, but here there is the fall play, winter one-acts, and the spring play,” she comments. Sarah was worried also about where to each lunch, but she, along with other freshmen, have been enjoying eating in the courtyard, at least for the rest of the warm season.

The freshmen have been at the school for only a month, but there are already things they want to see change in their next four years of school. Clara would like to see more cleaner water fountains. “It is kind of annoying to have to walk all the way to the newer wing because it has the best water fountain.”  Vincent would like to see more academic options overall, and Sarah would like to see less homework.