Dear freshman me: “Keep a good relationship with your teachers.”
Dear freshman me: “Try your hardest in everything you do; reach your full potential.”
Dear freshman me: “Talk to people, not just casually, but learn to connect on a deeper level.”
Dear freshman me: “Be happy and do fun stuff!”
While their freshman selves began their high school journeys in the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic, the class of 2025’s senior advice remains helpful throughout the myriad global interruptions that intruded on their high school experience.
Coming into high school after a pandemic that essentially cancelled in-person 7th and 8th grade proved a difficult feat. “Adjusting from the schedule I had created for myself during e-learning to a school-set pace was hard,” said Renae G, a senior at the International School of the Sacred Heart. And while high school slowly returned to “normal”, the lack of real-life connection became evident due to the emergence of friend groups formed during e-learning, creating cliques at the beginning of high school, according to Leo G.B., another member of the class of 2025.
However, as they adjusted to some normalcy, coronavirus had a silver lining. It taught them not to take for granted all of the high school events. “As we went through high school, we realized that parts of it were really fun,” said Leo. “It made it clear that we had to appreciate the things that we did have more,” explained Namya K., the vice president of Sacred Heart’s executive student council. “After experiencing normal high school, I never wanted to go back to e-learning,” Leo added.
“Normal” high school isn’t fun for everyone, but one thing that all the class of 2025 interviewees could agree on was that Sacred Heart helped shape a memorable high school experience that they will look back on fondly.
High school is tough. From struggles in grades 9 and 10, juggling all three strenuous science curricula whilst keeping up with the never-ending humanities assignments, to the grade 11 balance of SAT preparation, AP classes, and extracurricular responsibilities, to grade 12 college application stress and extracurricular leadership, high school may seem like an unceasing grind. However, as proven by the Sacred Heart seniors, sometimes the roughest moments produce the best times. According to a survey of the class of 2025, while 45.5% (a majority) said that senior year was the hardest year of high school, 72.7% said that senior year was their favorite year. This shows how the graduating class cannot be deterred by hard work and their choice to appreciate every moment, no matter how difficult it might be.
The class of 2025 undoubtedly is responsible for their high school success and the memories they created; however, the connections made with Sacred Heart faculty certainly emphasized the sense of community that made their Sacred Heart education unique. Senior Sophie K. explained how Mr. Martindale cheered her on in her success, but more importantly, made time when she needed extra help and was understanding through her weaker moments. Renae also shared a story of French and Homeroom teacher Mr. Delacharlery that truly shows the dedication and care that Sacred Heart faculty possess. She explained how she had Mr. D as her seventh-grade homeroom teacher, but did not often speak with him after seventh grade. Recently, he congratulated her on all of her performances and told her that he loved seeing what she was doing. “I was like, ‘what, you’ve been keeping track of what I’m doing?’ It shows how even if you don’t know someone well, at Sacred Heart, they still pay attention to what you’re doing and care about you.”
This care is not only shown by the teachers. This group of seniors cares about each other. Sophie recalled making the senior veterans video as one of her favorite memories from her senior year. “We got together in Arisugawa Park and had a picnic. I got to talk to people I don’t usually talk with, and we got to relive our junior school selves.” This shows the bond that this senior class shares and the care each of them has for each other, despite not always being in the same friendship circles.
When asked to come up with specific moments or events that were their favorite high school memories, it wasn’t the biggest moments or events that stuck with them. “Just spending time with my friends,” wrote one senior in her survey response. “I loved being in core bio/chem/physics with people who are the same level as me,” another responded. “I don’t think I have one memorable bonding experience; it was definitely a collection of smaller moments,” Namya commented.
Many of them personally regret not getting more involved in their chosen activities and not fully dedicating themselves to everything they do. “I wish I had joined clubs,” said Sophie. “I originally thought that they were a waste of my time, but soon realized that my friends had all joined and found lunchtime communities.” Renae admitted, “I regret not joining High School Band sooner. I made excuses for myself about how I wasn’t good enough, or didn’t have the time.”
Leo regretted paying attention to what other people thought of her. “I really wish I didn’t do things to impress other people. Extracurriculars should be reserved for people’s passions, they shouldn’t just be filler activities.”
Namya’s advice to underclassmen was not to make choices during high school for the sake of impressing others. She thinks that currently some people choose classes or participate in extracurriculars because they think they will seem impressive to an outside point of view. Namya advises against measuring your own value based on how you are perceived by others. “Not only will it not help you, but it’s also not accurate. You’re just wasting your time.”
Namya added that one of the most common misperceptions about high school is that it’s a place where you need to use all your time to prepare for college. She explained that when entering high school, she thought this was the time to have everything figured out, but she quickly realized that this is a time to experiment and find your passions. Renae added, “You hear that high school is a peak experience, but sometimes it’s not, and I think that belief puts a lot of pressure on the experience. It’s really just a time when people are trying to figure themselves out.” Because the school is so small and offers plenty of ways to get involved, it ensures that there is no competition for opportunities. “You have the ability to try pretty much anything,” Namya said.
Even though some seniors stated that they would like to see improvements in communication between students and faculty, or less academic pressure, they all recognized Sacred Heart as an important part of their development as human beings. Due to the close nature of a small school and the all-girls environment, it is easy to talk to people and get to know your peers on a deeper level.“Everybody seems really genuine,” said Leo. Renae added, “They’re all just really decent people.”
This senior class is a resilient one: they have made their mark with excellent academics, crucial involvement in extracurriculars, and kindness that radiates into the rest of the student body, all while battling the numerous global events that have made their overall experience unordinary.
“We’re a really close grade. We genuinely all care about each other. This grade is a really special one,” states Renae.
The rest of Sacred Heart couldn’t agree more.