In the spring semester of my freshman year, I took a one-off, one semester journalism class. I had no prior experience: Never before had I conducted an interview, written a news story or even engaged much with the news. But, with an open slot in my schedule, I figured I’d try something new.
When I signed up, I did not expect my learning to extend beyond the walls of the classroom. Yet, unbeknownst to me at the time, I would end up writing for the Tiger Times the rest of high school—three whole years. My initial expectations could not have been more incorrect.
We FHS students are fortunate to attend a school that has both the resources and student body size to maintain a myriad of academic, athletic and extracurricular opportunities. I believe that we should take full advantage of that opportunity—explore everything FHS has to offer.
High school occurs at a critical time for all: Between the ages of 14 and 18, you learn a great deal about yourself, and you do so alongside others who are often more open to making friends and meeting people than at any other age.
While not undeserving of criticism, FHS provides its students with many opportunities to make the most out of this critical and valuable time. The FHS course guide alone is astonishing: From high-level arts classes to American Sign Language to geology, FHS students have access to a vast amount of course offerings. FHS has no shortage of club and athletic offerings, too, boasting over 100 clubs and 20 different sports. With so much available, students
In my freshman year, in addition to journalism, I took three art classes—more than was required of me to graduate. In my sophomore year, I continued, enrolling in Drawing II and III. During that time, I also began—and stopped—going to Model UN club meetings. While I no longer partake in these activities, never do I feel that they were a waste of time, and neither should you if in a similar situation.
No matter the outcome—whether you find new friends, realize your passion for music or, like me, eventually scrap most activities—engaging with FHS’s offerings and community is an act of exploration and self-growth. And each step of the way, you are bound to learn something about yourself or others, even if only that you must continue exploring.
In taking that one journalism class my freshman year, I opened up a world of fun and growth—interviews with incredible people, friends and new experiences. You never know where your exploration may lead you.
