As summer fades, Emery students trade swimsuits for polos and resume their school routines. Returning to campus brings excitement and the opportunity to reconnect with friends, but it also brings the stress of adapting to new schedules and academic pressures.
The 2024-2025 school year welcomes fresh faces to the Emery/Weiner campus as the Class of 2028 begins their high school journey. For freshman Owen Leif, the transition into high school was daunting. “Coming from Trafton Middle School, I was nervous for the first day of school because I didn’t know many people at Emery,” says Leif. Being the new kid at school can definitely be scary, but Emery does a great job of making new students feel at home through “Freshfolk Orientation” where student ambassadors and faculty welcome the freshmen to campus. Despite his initial worries, Owen has already begun to establish himself. “I’ve already started to bond with my baseball teammates through our offseason fall league,” says Leif. Owen is eager to take advantage of all of the opportunities that Emery has to offer, as he says that he’s “looking forward to starting freshman year off on the right foot and [is] interested in joining a few clubs.”
Returning to campus can be a stressful time for the Class of 2026, as they are up against the monster of junior year. Junior Blake Saikin says that “he’s heard that junior year is the hardest year of high school” and acknowledges its importance regarding college admissions, but “wants to embrace the challenge.” Whether it is going to office hours for assistance or starting their own club, Emery students have the tools to succeed and put their best foot forward. As a dedicated football and baseball player, Saikin recognizes the necessity to balance academics and athletics. “Being a student-athlete throughout high school, I have prepared myself for this moment,” adds Saikin. Blake is excited for what’s to come this year, aiming not only to keep his grades up but also to win a state championship as a starting cornerback on the football team.
For the senior class, returning to campus is an exciting time as they now ‘rule the school’. The Class of 2025 gets to enjoy perks such as exclusive parking on POG (Parking on the Green), ownership of the senior lounge, and sitting in the front row in Becker Theater. Senior Elissa Roser proclaims she is “really excited to spend time in the senior lounge with [her] friends.” In the senior lounge, students can play ping pong, socialize, or even take a nap on the couches like Yossi Trubek. “One of the biggest perks about the senior lounge is that we’re able to be on our phones,” says Roser. With the new phone ban across Emery, seniors hold the exclusive privilege of using their phones within the confines of the senior lounge. Senior year is often regarded as the best year of high school — or even the best year of your life — and the Class of 2025 is eager to live up to that expectation.
The 2024-2025 school year is looking to be a fantastic one, with exciting new opportunities and memorable experiences. Get ready, Emery—we’re in for a year to remember!
