High Life / A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : Starting the Year With New Supplies, Attitude
The first day of school is often a dreaded event. It marks the beginning of a schedule, an alarm clock, tests and studying. Those who have grown accustomed to waking up at noon and staying at the beach all day are unprepared for the September event.
Hot Topics asks, “What do you need most for the first day of school?”
“Sleep, or a pillow and a blanket, because that’s the most boring day of the year. You don’t really need anything--except maybe a piece of paper to draw on--because all you do is listen.”
Jennifer Johnson, 16,
junior, Esperanza
“Clothes and books, notebooks and pencils . . . all that kind of stuff.”
Hiedi Gleason, 16,
senior, Sonora
“I need a new backpack, a nice spiffy green one. The old one is too torn (because of) too many books. I like to start over fresh every year.”
Tim Glavin, 17,
senior, El Dorado
“I need my sanity and a fresh start. I need an open mind, too, so I don’t prejudge my teachers like I did last year.”
Hasmig Minassian, 16,
junior, Sunny Hills
“I need a whole bunch of school supplies like clothes and school stuff like pencils and paper.”
Jennifer Bridge, 16,
junior, El Dorado
“A backpack, because the old one ripped.”
Coty Sifuentes, 15,
sophomore, Troy
“I would say nothing, because the first day has never been particularly exciting. They tell you to go home and get notebooks for each class. It is the second day that you need everything.”
Eric Passchier, 16,
senior, Mater Dei
“A backpack, paper, pencils, pens, a positive attitude, clothes and a folder. That’s all I usually need.”
Alicia Ladenef, 17,
senior, Canyon
“I need good clothes, my hair done right and a pair of sunglasses in case I fall asleep.”
Gavin Carlton, 17,
senior, El Dorado
“Organization. Just have things where you want them and can find them, like notebook organization.”
Eric Cohen, 15,
sophomore, Valencia
“I need the fundamental stuff like a backpack, new clothes. That’s about it. Knowing if I’m gonna have good classes with good teachers and a locker in senior square (is important).”
Kimiko Blew, 17,
senior, Sunny Hills
“The No. 1 thing is an alarm clock with a snooze button just to get you up and out of bed.”
Janie Barron, 17,
senior, Foothill
“Patience for the rest of the school year. Patience with the teachers, because I hate new teachers and I hate getting into the groove of school.”
Brendan Cosgrove, 16,
junior, El Modena
“A pair of Dr. Marten’s, an “Elf Quest” comic book and a “KeroKeroKeropi” lunch box.”
Heidi DeVries, 16,
senior, Canyon
“I need an open mind to get a good opinion about teachers and how they will be for the year, a pencil and some note paper.”
Eric Gunther, 17,
senior, Servite
“Another vacation, away from school.”
Cathy Kay, 16,
junior, Costa Mesa
Next Week’s Hot Topic:
What will be the hot, new back-to-school clothing styles?
