Gearing Up

By Joyce Wan

Various shades of blue swarm campus–navy high school and baby blue senior shirts filling the recently-empty grounds. The campus is much the same: beige buildings, open spaces, and construction fences from the end of last year blocking the precious sea view. The people, however, have changed. An influx of new students and staff accompanies the ascension of grade levels. Both excited vibrancy and tiredness emanate across campus. 

Some students attend retreats to learn the value of leadership, some begin hitting the court and field, and others attend the first meetings of unique clubs. Campus is a special place– from this beginning of the year– home for learning in all sorts of spaces, for all sorts of interests. While nothing groundbreaking has occurred yet, spirits and emotions vary all across the board: some are already worn out, but others are high in anticipation of the upcoming school year. 

Amanda Lim ('26) thinks for a moment before nodding, declaring that though she is “tired,” she is "excited for later on" in the year: numerous activities, school events, trips, and more stack up in neat piles on the school calendar. There is much to be excited about. For now, however, students have a little more time to sit back– in this first full week of school– before homework piles up exorbitantly. 

"I wanna go back on break," Anya Shanmugabalan ('25) laughs, stretching out on a sofa in the newly-renovated library. The soft chairs are a small comfort as the typically stressful but fulfilling junior year lies in wait. Many feel the same, whatever grade or position they’re in, dreaming of procrastination without consequences and a decent sleep schedule. To all those eagerly awaiting the next holiday every time school comes back in session: let’s hope they hold out till the next time of relaxation rolls around. 

It's going to be a long year, but it's going to be a good one. Students and staff alike fall into the rhythm of school, ready as the new school year raises anchor to rush onwards at full sail.