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Overcast New Memorial students adjust to junior high life
It was only last year that current seventh graders at Memorial Junior High School found themselves in a place which was all too familiar — elementary school. After seven years, they made the leap to Memorial, but not before attending two orientations — one last spring and another over the summer. Now, the students are getting their wet feet in their new surroundings.
Navigating through the halls, seeing new faces, and even figuring out how to open their lockers can be challenging, several students said. A group of seven students clued the Herald in on just how they are acclimated to life at Memorial Junior High.
Katelynn O’Neill
Age: 12
Elementary school: Wheeler Avenue
Orientation highlights: “It helped a lot. It told you what to expect on your first day of school, how to open up your locker, and turn [the combination] the other way.”
First day of school: “It was overwhelming. You don’t know where to go. As the week goes by, you get used to the routine.”
Biggest change from elementary school: “Changing classes and dealing with the locker situation. You only have a certain amount of time.”
Biggest fear about junior high: “Trying not to be late, and getting good grades.”
How did you prepare to overcome any challenges at Memorial: “The way it is in elementary school is very different from junior high school. I felt scared about coming here, but they helped us to get ready.”
Christopher Darby
Age: 12
Elementary school: Wheeler Avenue
Orientation highlights: “The best part was that I got to meet teachers in the classrooms and check out my locker.”
First day of school: “I was really nervous. I was scared that I would not fit in, but everyone was so nice. I thought I would be bullied and that no one liked me, but I made friends.”
Biggest change from elementary school: “Switching classes. It makes the day go by faster because you’re not stuck in one class all day. Also, your locker. Before we had cubbies and people could step over your stuff.”
Biggest fear about junior high: “Fitting in with the crowd.”
