Joey Valenzo:

My advice to underclassmen: get involved. There is a lot to do around MT, from clubs to sports to volunteer work. Find something that you are interested in, and there is more than likely a club that involves that. At clubs you’ll meet like-minded people that you can befriend and talk to, making connections that can exist for all of high school, and even outside of the classroom. Just finding a few people to talk to that enjoy similar things as you can be such a massive benefit; they can help reduce stress, help in classes you are struggling in, and so much more. Needless to say, having even just a few friends that you are close to can mean so much for the last few years you have before you become an adult in the real world.

My second bit of advice is a strange one, but bear with me: take as many electives as you can. Taking non-core classes can help you find things you are interested in or good at that you may otherwise not know. For me, I didn’t take Journalism 1 until my junior year, and that feels like such a mistake. If I had taken it my freshman year, I could have found this love of writing and media earlier, and even have written for The Township Times longer than just my senior year. Even if you do not enjoy the elective you chose, that’s fine, you can drop it if it does not interest you. The electives are here to help you find the things you enjoy and are good at, so take advantage of them, even if you feel skeptical about them.

Francesca Rossini

The first piece of advice I can give as a graduating student is a cliché: enjoy your time in high school. But time really is a strange concept, because to me, it feels like it was only yesterday that I was a scared little freshman who thought high school was the biggest challenge I had to face in my life. The four years that you’re here will fly by, so soak up every day—even the difficult and stressful ones. It’s only now, as a senior, that I realize I let the past four years slip through my fingers without taking the time to really experience it. High school is your last chance to be a kid, and once it’s over, all the adult responsibilities come creeping in and your real life begins. 

The second piece of advice I can give is this: work hard in school, but find what drives you and always be sure to make time for yourself. For the first couple years of high school, my nose was to the grindstone every day, so much so that I forgot to give myself time to relax, and that really took a toll on my well-being, especially when the pandemic hit. I’m still learning ways to integrate relaxation time into my daily routine, but now I realize that setting time aside to have fun—whether that be hanging out with friends or finding something you’re passionate about—is vital to your health. So while your education is meaningful, always remember that you are equally as important.

Shayna Finkelstein 

Underclassmen, take advantage of the opportunities our school has to offer. You may not have access to every class, but you might be surprised by what you find if you spend some time looking at the Educational Planning Guide (EPG). Don’t discount electives just because they give you less credit, because they might be the classes you enjoy most. Take advantage of your options, and maybe you will find something that you will pursue later on. 

On the flip side, don’t take school too seriously. Don’t get me wrong, grades matter, but one slip up isn’t going to jeopardize your entire future. My freshman and sophomore years I was terrified of falling down to a B, but since then I’ve learned to be a little bit easier on myself. Especially in those classes you aren’t going to pursue in your career— for me that was math and science— try not to panic too much about a small drop in your grades. If the concern is getting into college, like it was for me, rest assured that college admissions officers have so much to look at that one low grade is not going to define how they view you. High school is a time to figure out how to live life to learn not to sweat the small stuff.