FRESH FACES

BY DEVIL'S ADVOCATE STAFF WRITERS | AUGUST 16, 2018 | PROFILES

ANXIOUS

BY Kennedy Cottle and Vaishnavi Suren

Madison Germany, a rising freshman, has dreamed of coming to Stanton College Preparatory School since she was in elementary school. “This was my school of choice for five years,” said Germany. “I’ve been wanting to come here since I was little.” Although her interest in Stanton is unwavering, some rumors about the school have still made her nervous. “I have a cousin and a friend of a cousin that went here,” Germany said. “The friend of a cousin said it was awful. That comment made me a little bit more nervous.” Germany added that she is not anxious about going to a new school, but rather about the school's workload. “I heard that it’s very rigorous,” she said, laughing. Germany has mixed feelings about her new school environment, but is especially excited about how far the tennis team went last season, as she plans on trying out for the tennis team.

Brianna Boyd is most nervous about not knowing anyone upon entering Stanton College Preparatory School. "I don't have any friends here," said Boyd. "Only one." Boyd still said she is looking forward to the programs offered at Stanton, however. "For sports, I want to do volleyball," she said. "I'm not sure about clubs yet." The class she is looking the most forward to is Spanish. "My mom is Hispanic," Boyd said. "She never taught me, so I want to learn."

According to incoming freshman Audrey Lindsay,  the two most daunting things about Stanton are its size and reputation.  "Everyone says Stanton is really hard, and it's ranked really high," Lindsay said. "So that's something that's hard to live up to. I heard that no one here has a social life.” Despite the change from Julia Landon Middle School to a larger campus at Stanton, Lindsay is glad Stanton’s size means more clubs and organizations for her take interest in. “There’s a National Art Honors Society,” Lindsay said. “And I’ve seen posters for other clubs, like Multi. I haven’t done that myself, and I really want to.” There is one thing Lindsay is excited about even though Stanton’s size and reputation makes her nervous: “I’ll get to meet new people here, and I won’t be tied down to certain expectations, because I can just start over,” Lindsay said. “Stanton is definitely going to be a lot harder, but I think it will also be rewarding.”

CONFIDENT 

By Isaiah Fluharty AND Serene Shibly

Jessica Garcia had her reservations about coming to Stanton College Preparatory School until she went to Summer Bridge. “At first I was nervous but then I went to summer bridge,” said Garcia. She’s interested in volleyball and meeting new people.

Kinsey Holden, student coming from from Julia Landon College Preparatory & Leadership Development School, was proud in her decision to enroll in Stanton College Preparatory School. “I did want to go to Stanton because I felt like it was just a good choice for me,” said Holden. Thinking about the upcoming school year, Holden expressed she was kind of nervous since she did not know a lot of people in my classes but I’m excited. She's eager to meet new people and is thinking of joining dance team, as well as honor societies.

Kianna Galino has mixed feelings about coming into Stanton College Preparatory School. “I’m excited about the upcoming year, I really want to try a bunch of new things that I didn’t get to do in middle school,” said Galino, who plans to run for class historian and join the swim team and multicultural club. “I’m excited to meet a bunch of new people. Looking at my schedule, I don’t have a lot of classes with people I knew last year, so it’ll be nice to talk to new friends. I’m feeling confident, but I’m also kind of scared.”

Horatio Gilman, freshman, is confident about his first year at Stanton College Preparatory School. “I think I’ll be fine, I just have to manage my homework,” said Gilman. “I’m a little nervous, but I think I’ve got this.” Gilman plans to join the robotics club, and looks forward to meeting new people.

FAMILIAL TIES

By Katelyn Colley

Annalise Luna, an incoming freshman, feels confident about beginning her high school education at Stanton College Preparatory School, especially since she has a sibling that is no stranger to Stanton life. Her sister, Iliana, is starting her senior year here and has shown Luna the advantages of having a Stanton sibling. “She taught me what bathrooms to use, what water fountains to use, and what teachers to stay on top of your stuff with,” said Luna. Using her sister’s experiences, “It’s a little bit easier to understand the classes and the school,” said Luna. Overall, Luna feels better prepared to start her high school career and is excited to participate in Stanton’s competitive pep rallies.

Incoming freshman Christopher Harris, Jr. is excited to begin at Stanton College Preparatory School and follow his family’s legacy. His mother, Kristina Harris, Jr., is a proud Stanton alumna who graduated in 2004. Harris, Jr. expressed his hopes for joining the basketball team and his eagerness to start his high school career. “I’ve heard about [high school] and seen it on TV,” he said, “but I am ready to experience it for myself.” Harris is enthusiastic to finally gain knowledge and true insight as a Stanton freshman.

Rashmi Ketepalle has mixed feelings about starting her freshman year at Stanton College Preparatory School. Her sister, Anusha, is a Class of 2017 Stanton graduate. Because of this, Ketepalle said, “I’m a little more prepared because I kind of know some of the teachers, but I’m also scared to live up to her expectations.” Ketepalle hopes to find her home on the robotics team to enhance her personal Stanton experience. Ketepalle said, “I’m just excited to be coming here.”

UNSURE

BY Seth Abouhalkah and Angela Villanueva

Samuel Brooks is an upcoming freshman at Stanton College Preparatory School. While many freshmen are eager to start, Brooks is not quite ready to commit yet. “I didn’t want to come to Stanton,” said Brooks. “I wanted to go to Paxon because I had more friends there.” Brooks also expressed his worries about failing classes due to the academic rigor of Stanton. Despite his uncertainties, Brooks joined the Blue Devils football team, and has been making friends. Surrounded by new faces, Brooks has become more confident and is ready to take on Stanton.

At first, Jeremiah Green didn’t know he was going to Stanton College Preparatory School. “It wasn’t my original choice. Originally I was going to go to Sandalwood,” said Green. “I was surprised when [my mom] said I was going to Stanton.” Green explained that he didn’t know anything about Stanton when his mom first mentioned the name, so he didn’t know what to expect. “It’s a pretty big school, I am pretty nervous,” said Green. Green plans to joins clubs and sports when he gets used to the workload of Stanton.

Bayani Diokno did not originally have Stanton in mind for high school. “My parents chose it as one of my three schools on the application,” said Diokno. “I wanted to go to Robert E. Lee because I know more people there.” However, he was able to overcome the social pressure and pursue his love for football. By joining the Blue Devils football team he has felt a warm welcome from the other members. Now Diokno has more motivation to continue his Stanton journey.