Every moment in high school matters, from the first day you walk through the doors to the day you graduate. While schoolwork can be overwhelming, the memories with friends, favorite classes, and milestones make it all worth it. Students each explore how each stage of high school offers a unique experience and what these years truly mean. Jags from different grade levels explain their growing pains throughout high school.
- How do you feel about starting this grade level this year?/Which teacher or coach has been the most supportive so far, and how?
Freshman MaKenzie Lee
“I was nervous at first,” Lee said. “I got lost a few times, but now I know my way around. The best part of my freshman year has been meeting new people. I like getting to know them because everyone has their own different personality or story to tell. All my coaches have been the most supportive so far. Whenever I feel like I’m not doing enough they are always there to encourage me to keep going.”
Sophomore Kai- Aarron Rubalcaba
“Sophomore year has been pretty easy so far,” Rubalcaba said. “My favorite class has been Spanish 2 because I have some good friends there. Ms. Coffey has been the most supportive. She’s a fun person to be around and always takes time to explain things when you need help.”
Junior Maylin Badillo
“Being a junior hasn’t been the easiest since some of my classes are pretty hard,” Badillo said. “But I really enjoy my interior design class at North Mesquite. At first, I was nervous being around students from other schools, but I’ve made a few new friends. Ms. Harris has been one of my most supportive teachers. She made class super exciting and she was there to listen to our problems.”
Senior Karla Barron
“Lately, it feels like any other year,” Barron said. “But now that I’m a senior, it feels like I have more freedom. Even though college is still on my mind and things have been feeling rushed, Ms. Harris was one of the most down to earth teachers. As with Ms McVey, she was very honest, and I feel like it us a way of her showing her love towards us.”
- What were your first moments like through freshman year?
Sophomore Kai- Aarron Rubalcaba
“I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I’d be,” Rubalcaba said. “I moved here during the second semester of my freshman year. I made a lot of new friends fast, probably because I’m more of a talkative person than a shy one.”
Junior Maylin Badillo
“I was still adjusting from middle school,” Badillo said. “Now that I’m older, I feel like I became more mature and responsible. It really hits me that as we grow up, we start to realize that we aren’t going to be kids anymore.”
Senior Arlene Castellanos
“I’ve matured a lot since my freshman year,” Castellanos said. “When I was a freshman I didn’t know a lot of things, my mindset was still in middle school and the environment was way different. Throughout the years I got the hang of learning different particulars. Now that I’m older I’m finally understanding and getting through things more easily.”
- What was one of your favorite moments/events you really enjoyed in high school and what made it fun?
Freshman MaKenzie Lee
“My favorite social event has been cheer,” Lee said. “I recently started signing up for it and I think it’s definitely going so well. My team is very collaborative, we do things together to make sure we are there for each other. Even if something goes wrong we find a way to keep each other from failing.”
Sophomore Kai- Aarron Rubalcaba
“My favorite moments have been the school events,” Rubalcaba said. “Homecoming was super fun, and all the pep rallies. I’m looking forward to attending all of the school events the rest of my high school years, and just having fun.”
Junior Maylin Badillo
“My favorite moment was getting close with my friends and teachers,” Badillo said. “They were all so supportive and I loved it when my teacher made their classroom Christmas themed. It brought back that fun, younger school spirit.”
Senior Arlene Castellanos
“One of my favorite moments in high school was spirit week when I was a freshman,” Castellanos said. “I thought that everyone was so creative with their outfits. I’m also really looking forward to prom this year, and making even more memories before graduation.”
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- What do you hope to accomplish this school year/next few years?
Freshman MaKenzie Lee
“To just succeed is my top goal in high school,” Lee said. “I hope for the rest of my high school years to be successful and not get involved in things I’m not supposed to be. I also want to show improvement in basketball, so someday I can be elite and get offers, just from how I play and how I’m coaching.”
Sophomore Kai- Aarron Rubalcaba
“My goal is to meet as many new people as I can and get more involved with school,” Rubalcaba said. “I’m really excited about starting baseball soon. Even though I’m a little nervous too, I think it’ll be a great way to make new friends and challenge myself.”
Junior Maylin Badillo
“One of my goals for this whole year is to pass all my tests and get good grades,” Badillo said, “because this is one of the most important years of high school. I’m also ready to graduate and accomplish big things in the future, such as going to college and getting my dream job.”
Senior Diego Ontiveros Orozco
“In a few years I see myself being done with trade school,” Ontiveros Orozco said. “I will still be working on HVAC, with my uncles and cousins. I want to get enough money to help out my family and be able to have my own place. And in a few more years after that, it’s pretty much the same but being more successful by getting a bigger house, and having a nice family.”
- What advice would you give to students moving up next year?/Has your dream for the future changed since you were a kid?
Freshman MaKenzie Lee
“The advice I wanna give to a future upcoming freshman is to stay out of drama,” Lee said. “In high school make sure you focus on your grades because they matter, even for sports. So definitely make sure you are on top of your work. Also make sure to have fun, make new friends, and make memories.”
Sophomore Kai- Aarron Rubalcaba
“One piece of advice I’d give is to be yourself,” Rubalcaba said. “Find the right crowd, and focus on your grades. Surround yourself with people who support you and push you to be better, not those who distract you from your goals. Sophomore year can be tough, but staying true to who you are and keeping your priorities straight will make a big difference.”
Junior Maylin Badillo
“My advice to upcoming juniors is to be prepared but don’t let stress take over,” Badillo said. “It’s an important year, but also one to enjoy. Stay organized, surround yourself with good people, and remember to take breaks when you need them.”
Senior Karla Barron
“My advice would be to take things one step at a time,” Barron said. “Enjoy every moment, even the stressful ones, because time really flies. Don’t be in such a hurry to grow up, just focus on doing your best and making memories along the way.”
