Heading back
But first, it’s time for a dip
Staff writer
Marion students went back to school Thursday, and were able to ease into things with a day of socializing and lakeside fun.
Middle schoolers spent the majority of the day in an assembly, introducing themselves and getting to know their teachers.
“It was kind of boring.” seventh grader Reese Richmond said.
The high school, for the second year in a row, had a day out at the county lake, with swimming, water slides, and burgers grilled by principal Donald Raymer.
The lake day was organized by the student council.
“I did no planning for it, no preparation for it,” he said. “All I had to do was show up and cook.”
Middle schoolers were likely a little jealous of the lake day.
Asked what they were most excited for this school year, Richmond and fellow seventh grader Weston Fanshier said the middle school’s own lake day, planned for this autumn.
Seventh grader Kelsey Vogel said she was most excited for sports and band practice, which will see her perform in local parades.
Seventh grader Cooper Smith said he was hoping to “do good in sports” this year, particularly football, where he is a lineman.
High schoolers said that while the weather was hot, they were big fans of a day out that resembled summer camp more than school.
“It was really fun,” senior Hailey Harshman said. “I like how we’ve started this tradition.”
Freshman Allison Vogel said she “really enjoyed when we did the Slip ‘n’ Slide.”
At 3 p.m., high schoolers returned from the lake, and the school day officially ended. The majority of students remained, filing into the Performing Arts Center to watch a presentation about concussion safety.
New freshmen said there nerves came with entering high school.
“I’m a little bit nervous, but I’m also really excited,” Vogel said. “It’s a small town, so everyone kind of knows everybody.”
She’s excited to be able to ride off campus for lunch “on special occasions” and to have access to her phone at lunch and in-between class.
Freshman Olivia Smith said that she was enjoying the small-town feel of Marion High.
She previously lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico; Lincoln, Nebraska; and the Chicago suburbs.
“Coming from a big city with these big schools, it’s so nice,” Smith said.
There seemed to be a good rapport between freshmen and seniors.
“I like to talk to underclassmen and get to know people because I don’t like people to be uncomfortable,” Harshman, a senior, said. “The freshman class this year is really good for us. They’re more outgoing.”
Multiple freshmen highlighted the seniors’ kindness.
Raymer said he was looking forward to seeing how the two classes got along.
“What I’m most excited for is to see how our freshmen have matured,” he said. “And on the other side of things, I’m excited to see our seniors becoming leaders and good mentors.”
For seniors like Gabriella Stuchlik, this year will be bittersweet.
“I get to experience things for the last time and make the most out of it,” Stuchlik said. “I really love math. I’m actually taking two college math classes this year. And then I kept band in my schedule. I’ve been doing that since fifth grade.”
Leaving Marion High will “be sad but exciting at the same time,” she said.