Welcome back to Fallston High School! This year, 2025-2026, marks the year of another new wave of freshman students for the graduating class of 2029. The step from middle school to high school is huge, a big step for a student’s independence. “A lot more people used to care more in middle school,” Emily Blasko, a 9th grader, stated. “Everyone is more chill now.”
Grading, assignments, and attendance become solely the responsibility of the student – no doubt resulting in some anxiety. “It’s a lot better than middle school,” Emily said. “You’re not really rushed to work at everybody else’s speed… it’s at your own pace.” Emily said she would “be more prepared” if she were to go back. She would get some binders together and retrieve a map since she “did get lost a bit” as any person would in a large new school. Although this school is new and quite scary for some, Sydney Bonczewski reflected that she “would just calm down a lot more and not stress” since it “took a toll on [her.]”
Due to the changes in expectations for students, many often fall behind or get scared to ask for help due to the fear of this big new place. Contrary to the belief they won’t help, many teachers want to be there. One teacher who helped Sydney was Mr. White, the 9th grade biology and AP biology teacher. “He just kind of showed me how work is done in high school and the standards,” Sydney said.
Not only is the burden of your academic success now in your hands, but so is the social aspect. “I would recommend going up to people and talking,” Sydney reported. “Introduce yourself… say one thing that you like and then they’ll become your friend.” Compared to middle school, high school is a very mixed setting of grades, many classes holding multiple grades of students at a time. Due to this, you’re forced to positively interact with fellow peers. “We just get to become friends with everyone in different grades, too,” Emily said.
From football games, to dances, pep rallies, and early dismissals – there is a lot to look forward to for this freshman year. Sydney looks forward to all the sports games and being on a sports team, especially “leaving school early for games” since she is a FHS volleyball player. Emily, a varsity cheerleader, looks forward to the football games that she’ll get to go to: “It’s just a unique experience and it’s a lot of fun in general… everything is just really new.”
All the new opportunities offered at FHS are tailored to fit the likes of everyone from the technical enjoyers to the sports players. Congratulations to the class of 2029 for their first big step to their future. We can’t wait to see what new experiences, ideas, and changes they bring to our school!
