To demonstrate the differences between upperclassmen and underclassmen, journalism student Marlee Diver reached out to seniors and freshmen alike to investigate their experiences and reactions to the start of the school year.

SOTO student, Reagan Beeler, had this to say about senior year: “Going into the first day of school I felt very happy and excited and got a sense of feeling a little more grown up. I got to see my little sister and walk her to a few classes, which was heart-warming since this is our first year in school together.” 

Freshman student Jorga Maxwell also feels excited about this school year, but unlike senior Beeler, she said, “I was feeling excited and nervous.”

So far, the seniors and freshmen are not feeling too differently about the first day of school, but they feel a little differently about OHS. Freshman Maxwell had some thoughts about OHS before coming: “I thought it was very big and had a big variety of people.”

Senior Beeler sees OHS differently. “I feel more in charge of my life this year. Being a senior I got a lot more say in my schedule which makes school a lot more enjoyable.”

Although freshmen and seniors are only three years apart, they are indeed different. Every student has unique high school experiences.