Welcome back, NASH! As a new school year gets underway, excitement for new classes and after school activities begins to grow. Fresh starts are formed, new friends are made, and new opportunities are being taken among juniors and seniors. While this may be deemed overwhelming to some, students at NASH are looking forward to the upcoming school year with positive mindsets.

When asked about what brings the most excitement as the school year begins, students express eagerness in the social aspect.

“I’m most looking forward to seeing all my friends again,” senior Leah Laughlin said.

Senior Carly Pappalardo is looking ahead towards the festivities held at the end of the school year.

“I am most excited about Prom this year,” she said.

Pappalardo is also anticipating a class that only seniors can take.

“I’m taking a preschool class which will benefit me in the future since I want to be an early education teacher,” she said.

Likewise, senior Kailyn Marunczak is looking forward to what the last year of high school has to offer.

“I am most excited to do all the senior festivities with my friends and graduation,” she said.

With excitement, however, comes nerves. The classes provided at NASH and chosen by students can be demanding.

“I am very nervous for classes to start,” junior Ankit Pamula said, “as I have picked some very rigorous classes for my junior year.”

Nevertheless, Pamula is remaining positive about the benefits of a challenging schedule.

“I do hope that I am able to pick up some new skills and tricks to deal with management and balancing free time and work time,” he said.

The wide array of choices at NASH can be overwhelming, but students can see this as an advantage, allowing to explore their interests in depth and create an idea of a career path that can be pursued after high school.

“I’m taking AP Chemistry this year because I am considering studying it in college, and I want to see if I enjoy it again this year,” junior Riley Wymer said.

Senior Alexis Solomon is taking classes to benefit her college major.

“I am taking Law and Justice and AP Psychology to help me with majoring in criminology,” she said.

Solomon is not the only senior who is thinking carefully about college next year.

“I’m anxious about the college application process,” senior Leah Campbell said, but she is forging ahead. “AP Psychology will benefit me after high school because my major in college requires it, so it’s saving me a lot of money.” 

Along with taking AP classes, senior Kyle Burn intends to focus on extracurricular activities during his last year of high school.

“I’m just planning on continuing my support and volunteering in the community and continuing to help teach tennis lessons to the community,” he said.

Students at NASH have prepared themselves for a year of success, and with hard work and dedication this school year will be great.