This 2024-2025 school year has been a blast. So many things have happened, are happening, and have been lost to the past. With the school year wrapping up, it would be great to look back and reminisce. What made this school year tick, and how has it affected the students who lived through it?
Some students find that this year has driven them to be the best they could be, and others find that it has changed them both for better or worse. With this school year being their last before senior year, the junior class has a lot to reminisce about. Junior Ellie Stone would go as far as to say that this year has been the one that changed her the most. When describing this year in one word, the first thing that comes to mind for her would be “push.”
“This year has pushed me in many ways, good and bad,” Ellie said. “I’ve been able to grow a lot both academically and within my friendships. I’ve happily been pushed to both make new friends and broaden my normal group. Being a junior, school got a lot harder and pushed me to adapt and take responsibility for myself. It made me realize how short high school is and how fast time goes. And if you find someone who makes you happy, you should be friends with them even if people might view you differently for it.”
So many things can change in a year, whether that be friendships, family, or grades. However, FHC has taken this as an opportunity this year to adapt and become the best versions of themselves.
Throughout this entire 2024-2025 year, the junior class has not been the only one to find new friendships and strengthen old ones. Sophomore Kylie Hatfield has taken charge this year to find friendships that will stay strong for the remainder of her high school career.
“My highlight this year has to be meeting the people I’ve now grown so close with,” Kylie said. “If I hadn’t met them at the beginning of this year, I don’t know where I’d be. I definitely enjoyed Winterfest more this year because I got to hang out with my new friends. It was a bigger group of people, and everyone was so friendly.”
While friendships were formed, that was not the only thing this school year brought. The main focus of school is academics. Therefore, this year brought both academic adaptation and some struggle as well.
Especially at the end of the year, a lot of pressure is placed on students, and most of that pressure rests on the current juniors’ shoulders through SAT testing. However, this doesn’t mean the end of the world. According to Ellie, while students should study, taking a more calm view on testing might be beneficial.
“Going into your junior year, people get very stressed thinking about testing, and really it’s not that bad as long as you prepare,” Ellie said. “And when you prepare, make sure not to cram or overwhelm yourself—start with around ten minutes a day. You shouldn’t be terrified; you should enjoy your junior year. It’s not all about the testing, but experiencing the moment and taking full advantage of your childhood.”
Throughout the ups and downs of this year, it’s apparent that the students at FHC have taken her advice. It has been a year full of both spectacular experiences and hardworking study sessions.
However, it’s not just juniors that had extra pressure; no matter which grade someone is entering, it always seems harder than where they’ve come from. Nonetheless, under this newfound pressure, a lot of students have found themselves thriving. Junior Ayla Wood has taken this year’s challenges as an opportunity.
“I’d describe this year as altering,” Ayla said. “I’ve learned more about myself socially and academically. I’ve learned how to change my habits in order to include school more efficiently in my life alongside extracurricular activities and everything else going on in my life.”
Maintaining a balance between extracurriculars and academics might be challenging, but it’s paramount. This year, the students at FHC have found this balance and used it to their full advantage. Whether it be prom, homecoming, or team sports, this year has been epic.
Even though it seems so long ago now, this school year started off with a bang. FHC’s 2024 homecoming was one to remember. The court was brimming with talent, including Jake Barnes, Mason Coppess, Rayyan Dar, Connor DiLorenzo, Alex Fletcher, Paige Jacobs, and Claire Worth.
The football season was definitely a highlight for most of the school. Themes, team spirit, and overall enthusiasm were omnipresent. Friendships were found and deepened, and they were a great opportunity to meet new people outside of their designated grades.
“The football games were really fun,” Kylie said. “I was able to get closer with upperclassmen I wouldn’t have met otherwise. It was great to find a reason to go out with my friends and get dressed up while cheering on our team.”
Along with the football team, the school’s sports achievements piled up this year. Both Men’s and Women’s Varsity Tennis headed to conferences, as did Women’s Track and Men’s Hockey.
Even with this year coming to an end, the bonds built through sports will continue to hold strong. The 2024-2025 FHC community has been one to remember.
“Sports and extracurriculars did a good job of bringing people together to build bonds this year,” Ayla said. “I joined cheer this year, and it was so fun to meet new people from other grades. It was a great community, and I love the friendships I’ve made.”
Even when the year wrapped up, it ended on a high. The Winterfest court was a great community with even better dance moves. The court included seniors Hailey Beels, Toby Cameron, Man Cing, Thomas Paplawsky, Kayla Quach, Aaron Schellenberg, Lia Stevenson, and Logan Tiggleman.
Even through the highs and lows, this class has stayed strong. As sad as it is to see the seniors go, hopefully the juniors can fill their shoes, and the incoming freshmen will be just as good.
“This school year has been one of the best,” Kylie said. “I really enjoyed all the football games, and the friends I made there were so fun to go to dances with. I’ve changed so much this year, and I can’t wait to see what next year brings.”
