by Madison Bibbey
Staff Writer
The following story was written by a student on the staff of The Jaguar Times as part of Hilliard Bradley High School’s Journalism Production course.
Freshmen enter Bradley’s halls for the first time and the excitement is bubbling. Staff are excited to see what the class of 2023 has in store and Freshmen are excited to finally be high schoolers.
Freshman are embracing the jungle by cheering with the student section. Freshman Cami Matheny in particular says she is “going to the football games and cheering super loud, and by participating in all the spirit days”. The first Bradley spirit week was September 19 through September 23. Sophia Manring (9) says that she has also been embracing school spirit by “cheering at football games”. Manring is also involved with the school's color guard who goes to all the football games with the marching band. Another freshman Emma Gigliotti is embracing school spirit by participating in “spirit week and [joining] clubs”. Gigliotti also mentioned participating in activities outside of school that Bradley offers. The freshmen have been loud and proud with their school spirit.
Staff are excited to help the freshmen settle into Bradley. They are also excited to see how the freshmen progress throughout their four years at Bradley. Dr. Turney, an assistant principal, vocalizes that she’s excited to share “all the celebrations” with her first freshman class at Bradley. Dr. Turney also says the “The spirit and the culture” at Bradley is “so welcoming” that it challenges freshmen “rise to the occasion”. The freshman teachers are getting to know the freshmen more closely. So they are helping them rise to the occasion at Bradley and make it their own. Mr. Rings, a social studies teacher and Bradley graduate, says that he’s excited for the freshmen “to be at Bradley and experience that”. He’s also excited for the freshmen to have four years “to build something cool”. The class of 2026 being able to start their four year high school journey is exciting. The staff at Bradley are excited to go through these four years with the new class.
They have been met with welcoming staff and students. Teachers are making efforts to try and make the transition from middle school easier. Freshman world studies teacher, Mr. Rings shares that in his class they “play with play dough on the first day” to remind them of elementary school so it doesn’t feel too scary. Teachers have been trying to just remind of the fact that they’re here to learn just like everyone else. Gigliotti comments that “there are some teachers that are definitely more patient with [the freshman] which is really nice”. Gigliotti was joined by other freshmen in her feelings about the staff. Matheny says her teachers have made her “feel super comfortable by how understanding they have been” not just to her but “to all the freshmen in a new building”. Some freshmen have still been learning Bradley’s layout. Manring says that students have made her feel comfortable at Bradley but “staff less” so. Manring wishes that some staff would be a bit nicer and patient to the freshmen. The student body at Bradley especially has made the freshmen feel comfortable and welcome by not treating them differently or rudely.
Freshmen have been enjoying their short time at Bradley so far. They experienced their first Bradley vs. Darby football game in high school. They’ve experienced their first Bradley spirit week, as well as their first homecoming. Friday September 30th they got to experience their first Bradley vs. Davidson football game as Bradley students. High school can be a negative experience but everyone at Bradley is determined to make it a positive one. A piece of advice assistant principal Dr.Turney has for the freshmen is “Try to make every day better than the one before it”. The freshmen have a whole journey to embark on these next four years and everyone at Bradley is ready to help make it educational, fun, and positive as possible.
Comments