Introduction

As the year comes to an end, so does the class of 2025’s high school career. They are moving onto bigger and better things, whether that be college or something else. As they move on from Elmwood Park High School, the 8th graders are moving in. They are about to begin what are supposed to be the best years of their lives. High school is where everything starts to change: straight A students may start to fail, friendships may fizzle out, and you become friends with people you never expected to even speak to. High school is very intimidating to incoming freshmen because they are afraid of the unknown, but what if there was a way for them to know what to expect? I sent a survey out to the graduating class asking them about their experiences  in order to give new high school students an idea of what high school is like and how they can succeed.

Sports

One thing that will help you to make new friends while having lots of fun is getting involved in the many athletics that EPHS has to offer. Being a part of a team helps bring people together and can create some of the best friendships. EPHS offers many fall sports, such as football, sideline cheer, girls volleyball, boys soccer, girls and boys cross country, tennis, golf, and sideline dance. “I’ve only done one extracurricular throughout my high school years, and it was dance. I’ll never forget my teammates, and they will always have a special place in my heart, “ said senior Angelina Rivas as she described her favorite extracurricular activity. None of those sports your style? No worries! There are plenty of winter sports, such as boys and girls basketball, competitive cheer, competitive dance, and wrestling. There are also many spring sports, like girls and boys track, softball, baseball, boys volleyball, and girls soccer.

Clubs

If athletics aren’t your thing, maybe one of the many clubs EPHS offers will interest you. Some of the most popular ones include snowball, student council, and DECA. Olivia Shipinski was a part of DECA her entire high school career and says it “was extremely fun because [she] got to travel every year for it, and winning is the best feeling. [She] also met so many people and made lots of friends.” DECA also looks great on college applications if that is important to you. If you want to make friends while also making a difference, Markida Figueroa suggests joining the environmental club. “Not only were we learning about the environment, we were doing good things like cleaning out the forest, recycling dead batteries, and making reusable bags so there wouldn’t be much plastic pollution. Also, I love all of the people in the club. There are many different personalities, and there is never a dull moment,” said Figueroa.

Advice

Before you move into the next four years of your lives, some of the seniors wanted to offer some advice. School may seem very boring, but Rivas suggests that you all “go to class.” A high school education can be very important in the long run, and you are getting an opportunity that many other kids dream of. Do not take it for granted, but do not let it consume you. High school is not all about grades. “Try anything that interests you and live it to the fullest. Time truly does fly, so do the things you enjoy,” Shipinski advises. She was so stressed over school work that for the most part she forgot to enjoy high school. She wants you to learn from her mistakes and “enjoy the moment before it’s too late.” 

Conclusion

In conclusion, high school may sound scary, but, like most things, it is what you make of it. High school will fly by. Do all the things you want to do over the next four years. You don’t want to look back on this time and regret not joining that club or playing that sport. Now is the time to make mistakes and learn from them. Enjoy this time, because before you know it, you will be a senior yourself. 

Works Cited:

• A.Rivas, personal communication, May 14,2025.
• M.Figueroa, personal communication, May 14,2025.
• O.Shipinski, personal communication, May 14,2025.