Starting Fresh or Ending Strong?

Seniors made the most of their last neon Back-to-School dance.
Freshman explored their first BTSD dance to experience it for four years to come.

It’s time for another successful year here at Ripon High school. RHS kicked off the year with a back-to-school week full of dress-up days, a barbeque, club rush, and the neon-themed dance.

Starting a new school year is not the same for everyone. Freshmen see four years of new possibilities, while seniors have to think into their future and drift from their high school life. Being at Ripon for one last year as a senior can cause a reflection of the past, yet a vision into the future.

“Being a senior feels like you’re so close to the start of the rest of your life, and it’s scary, but exciting,” senior Alli Coit claimed.

I mainly think I am just looking forward to getting involved and becoming part of the tribe. The community at Ripon High is so amazing, and I’m so happy that I can be a part of it all,

— Taitem Brown

On the other hand, freshmen dive into the high school life and focus on what they will make their high school experience.

“I mainly think I am just looking forward to getting involved and becoming part of the tribe. The community at Ripon High is so amazing, and I’m so happy that I can be a part of it all,” freshman Taitem Brown stated.

Freshmen see more freedom in high school compared to middle school, while seniors have to think about what they would do after high school having complete freedom and being on their own.

“I like how there’s a lot of freedom compared to high school. Ripon High feels smaller and you know more people. I like the close-knit community feel,” freshman Allie Brown said.

Although, both freshmen and seniors want to make the most of this year. Underclassmen focus on the image and experience they will make for themselves in high school, while seniors strive to be involved for their last year.

“I am trying to go to more events. I want to go to almost all of them to represent our school and be involved,” senior Tommy Mulder stated.

Freshmen envision all four years of high school as what they want it to be and how they will accomplish their goals.

“I want to be able to stay in leadership every year, challenge my academic ability, and go as far as I can in sports as well. I want to meet new people and try new things,” freshman Anthony Sausedo explained.

The 2018-2019 year has begun here at Ripon High. Freshmen envision their 4-year high school adventure, while seniors have to think about their future after high school. Freshmen show exhilaration for high school, while seniors feel nostalgic. “High school flies by. Take advantage of it while you can,” Mulder claimed.