By summer vacation, the nearness of sophomore year relieves freshmen. Finally, all of the booing at pep rallies and fourth floor pranks will end. More freedom, more friends, and the recognition of colleges for sports and academics thrills young students. Being the youngest students, freshmen tend to make the easiest targets for upperclassmen.

Incoming freshmen Keyona Thomas and Brooke Dunson sit in their classrooms at Jobe, eagerly awaiting the last day of middle school.

“I’m excited to meet new people and make new friends,” Thomas said. “I’ve been with the same people in school since elementary school and I think meeting new people will broaden my horizons a bit.”

Thomas enrolled in all AP classes for next year and plans on running in track, as well as playing clarinet in band. She has a desire to join NHS (National Honors Society) and to keep her AP classes’ grades up.

“I love to read and being able to show off my knowledge about books to someone who will listen and not judge me for it,” Thomas said.

She hopes the Battle of the Books will carry on through high school so that she can enjoy another scholastic competition. Student participants read novels and hold competitions to see which group or school can answer the most questions based on their memory of the book. Dunson’s hopes of basketball and popularity mingle with her fears of bad influences and bullying.

“I want to be popular and have a ton of friends, but at the same time I don’t want friends who will try to get me doing drugs or skipping class,” Dunson said.

Passing all of her classes tops her list of priorities for high school, followed by making the basketball team.

“I heard that the team is hard to get onto and that it’s a lot harder in high school than in middle school,” Dunson said.

Freshman Hailey Wells enjoys her last few days as a “fish.” As a cross country and track athlete, Wells if full of school spirit and prepares for next year.

“At the beginning of the year, I was nervous and intimidated by the upperclassmen,” Wells said. “I’m actually sad the year is almost over because it seems like I just got into the groove of things and I’m almost a sophomore.”

Incoming freshmen are left with advice from those who were in their place not long ago.

“Always be prepared and organized,” Wells said. “Don’t lose your work and don’t be the class clown. Also, find a hallway buddy so that you aren’t walking around the halls alone.”