Seventh grade to something great

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Last 5 stories in Senior Edition

• Getting out of the dark ages - May 22, 2009
• It is the hope that inspires - May 22, 2009
• Appreciate the mitten on the wall - May 22, 2009
• Come what may - May 22, 2009
• Why graduate? - May 22, 2009

Other stories that might interest you...

• Appreciate the mitten on the wall
• Students become teachers
• The Human Condition
• Don’t dis the diploma
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May 22, 2009 • written by Meagan McDougall  
Filed under Senior Edition

            The West Fargo class of 2009 is 33 times bigger than my sixth grade class was at Grace Lutheran School in Fargo, ND. On my first day of seventh grade, I nearly peed my pants with fear that I wouldn’t make any friends and would be lonely and sad until I went to college. I was the nerdy kid that nobody knew that used big words, which I still to this day get made fun of for. Amazingly and thankfully, I grew out of it, and have had far from a lonely and sad high school experience.

            I wholly attribute this miracle to being involved as much as possible. I met my best friends to this day because I befriended a girl I was on the middle school dance team with. Then in high school, I joined basically everything that didn’t require running or building things with my hands (some of the clubs, however, have forced me to paint signs, which they soon learned was a terrible idea). All of the groups and clubs I have become involved with have led me to meeting fabulous people that I know have had an effect on me and that I’ll remember for years to come.

            Being involved in the school and community is the key to a well-rounded high school experience. Extra curriculars help students learn to manage their time with homework, friends and activities, meet people outside of their normal social circle as well as community members and students from other schools, stay out of trouble, and explore the world to find what they truly love to do.

            It makes me sad to see how chaotic the parking lot is after the bell rings at 3:25. Students will run over underclassmen to be the first person out of the lot and away from the grayish-tan and maroon walls. There are so many different activities to accommodate for any person’s interests that happen after school hours, and the activities don’t have to cut into time with friends if friends come along.

Instead of going home, sitting on the couch, eating chips and watching evening TV with friends, students could be out doing something exciting and rewarding. I love chips and TV as much as the next guy, but not until after I go to a choir rehearsal and make a stop by the newspaper room.

            I could throw mounds of advice at anybody about things I’ve learned in high school, but please remember this: West Fargo High School is excellent at providing students with the tools to have fun and succeed, but if you don’t take a chance and try, you’ll still be as lonely and lost as I was in seventh grade