As the years go by, we see the next graduating class depart and the new freshmen class enter. Freshmen wander around the campus, figuring out which building is B or D, while seniors are figuring out their plans after high school. Although there is a huge gap between goals, maturity and age, there are some similarities between the two classes.

Three seniors, Dulce Martinez, Nasir Jones and Damian Enriquez, were asked about their experiences and feelings about this being their last year in high school.

When asked about what has been the most stressful thing since school started, all three seniors said the same answer: college applications. 

“It's easy but I think it's very time consuming, and very like, you really gotta focus on what you wanna do for your future,” Martinez shared. “And that makes it difficult because you’re choosing the next steps to your life.” 

While college applications were a common theme for all three seniors, one thing that they couldn’t agree on was their feelings towards their last year at South East High School. Emotions ranged from joy to sorrow. 

Enriquez feels sad because he won't see half the people he knows after high school, And Jones contrasts that saying, “I'm relieved and I'm happy that I get to graduate and pursue the career of my choice.” 

Despite the varying emotions tied into senior year, the unanimous consensus all three agreed upon was that last year, their junior year, was the most difficult time for them in high school.

“My junior year,” Enriquez revealed. “Honestly it was just so much pressure I had on myself. And some days I would stay up probably til like 1-2 in the morning just doing homework.” 

Despite some of these challenges, these seniors also remembered their freshman year. Each senior had a unique story about arriving to South East. 

“I didn't go to 8th grade so I was online the entirety of 7th and 8th grade and half of 6th grade,” Jones shared. Many students had different pathways during the global pandemic before arriving at South East. “And it was kinda like a culture shock. Everybody had went to 8th grade except me, so everybody sorta forgot me and I was kinda new again.” 

Martinez shared about her different path to South East. “I was at a different school but then I transferred to South East. So there was a big change of scenery for me, getting to know people and just teachers in general and the place, and I think it was pretty hectic, but I think I found my way to getting used to everything.” 

Enriquez felt the opposite. “Honestly I felt great, I felt really great. Mentally, physically. I was very happy to be there at school. And to be honest I was just so excited for basketball.” 

As these three have adjusted and got to know their place at school, they soon discovered the one thing that made them love South East even more. 

“My favorite part about South East probably has to be the teachers,” Enriquez revealed when asked about his favorite thing at the school. “All of the teachers that I had, they've been so nice to me and kind, so probably the teachers.” 

“I like the fact that South East is very open to the community,” Martinez stated. “There's so many events that allow parents, students, and literally everyone to participate in any event.” 

“I think the best thing about South East is the people,” Jones shared. “Because although we're not the best in sports, maybe we don't have the best school spirit, I know that I can walk up to anyone in the hallway, and if I say what's up, then I can strike a conversation.” 

Even though the community within the school has been strong, class pride is one thing that Jones believes is lacking. “I think South East doesn't have an identity. Everybody is an individual but we don't have a class identity. And I think something that can bring us together is reaching out to each other more, and being more involved with school spirit and sports, because to be honest, nobody really cares about spirit or sports.” 

Even with that mindset, the seniors wanted to see the school continue to thrive and they offered this year’s freshmen class some advice to guide their journey as they find their roles in South East and to grow as a student and person. 

“Honestly just be yourself and don't try to fit in with different people,” Enriquez shared. “Because early on during freshmen and sophomore year, I just tried to fit in, but I wasn't really happy with myself, so honestly just be you. Everyone is going to judge you, no matter what.” 

Martinez offered her advice, as well. “Stay focused and get involved. Because it's gonna count a lot, and the moment you get involved it's so easy to do a lot of other things. It gets you out of your comfort and it allows you to become more yourself.” 

“It sounds cliche, but don't worry about what other people think or what other people are doing,” Jones added. “You need to put yourself first and do what you wanna do. If everybody has a certain type of shoe, that doesn't mean you have to get that type of shoe because everybody else has it. You have to stay true to yourself and follow your dreams. Because following other people is gonna get you their result, you want your result.” 

As seniors prepare for the next huge step in their life, the freshmen have just begun stepping into a new world. The experience for the freshmen is a unique experience as they are transitioning to a different school with high personal and academic expectations. To gain a better perspective on the first-year experience for the Class of 2029, several ninth grade students were asked about their first few months at South East High School.

Choosing a high school can be a life-changing decision for some. But the decision to come to South East was a mixed bag when it came to the reasoning. Of the eight freshmen interviewed for this story, three shared that they had a voice in their decision to attend South East. However, five students revealed that they had no say in being enrolled at South East. Abie Montes shared why she didn’t choose South East. “I didn't have a choice because I moved houses and I wanted to go to a school where my friends were going.” 

“I chose South East High School because I heard a lot of good things about it from the middle school,” Ruben Panduro shared. 

Another freshman, Daniel Hernandez, shared that the decision to come to South East was made because of the distance it took to get to the school. 

“I used to go to a super far school and it wasn’t optimal for me,” they shared. “And I started to wonder why not come to the school? It seems nice and more mature – better for my learning.”

Regardless of their reasons for being at South East, the new environment can be a daunting place for some. A common problem the freshmen faced early on was navigating South East’s campus. Classes take place in five different on-campus buildings and being able to locate where those classes are within those buildings became an early challenge for freshmen. 

Seven of the freshmen interviewed said they were either lost or were trying to figure out which building was which. 

Sergio Alvarez remarked, “I didn't know that the buildings were A-D.” 

“The only thing I faced was being lost; I didn't know where anything was,” Hernandez added. “It was hard getting to know a big area. It felt uncomfortable and there were so many different kinds of people and it was shocking really to see that and get accustomed to it as well."  

Once they figured out how to get past their obstacle, they were quickly faced with a new issue: Have they had found their place in South East? 

Maryalice Tejeda feels that she has adjusted well to the new school and she has found her place at the school. 

“I think yeah because I’m in a sport right now,” she explained. “[And] cheerleading. It's going really great!” 

Antonella Alarcon is still figuring out her path. “I want to take my time exploring and trying out more activities before I decide on what I actually want to do through high school.”

“I’ve made a lot of mutual friends and friends in general,” Hernandez added. “Instead of being scared having people approach my friends, I feel open for a new opportunity." 

While the freshmen are adjusting to classes and the environment, it seems that within time they will find their place at South East High School. The seniors, on the other hand, have made their mark and are ready to begin a new chapter in their lives after graduation.