Photo Credit to Marissa Nardella

Students and parents alike learn about the various clubs and organizations offered at WJ during the New Student Picnic, which took place in the cafeteria due to rain.

On Wednesday, Aug. 20, it rained before the New Student Picnic had even begun. As a result, the picnic was moved inside to the cafeteria. Despite the rain, people of all ages and occupations were milling around the various tables set up by clubs and organizations.

“I’m excited about the different clubs and different classes [in high school as opposed to] middle school,” said freshman Alexis Johnson.

Parents Suji Sullivan and Jane Silua were also excited about the academic classes that WJ has to offer.

“I’m very excited…[because] the school has very strong academics,” said Silua. “There are lots of opportunities to get involved with clubs, or with a sport. To me it seems that every child has the opportunity [to become involved in many positive things].”

Sullivan said she believes WJ has a lot of great variety in its curricula and many different classes to offer to students, and freshman Caroline Collier was excited about meeting new people and seeing for herself how different high school is from middle school.

“[I’m excited about] choosing your own classes, picking your own path,” added freshman Ian Rickles.

Unfortunately, some feel there is a downside to having so many options to choose from.

“My worry is that [my daughter is] going to be like me, and [she is going to] take on too much,” said Silua. “There are so many things; I feel like she is going to accept more than she can [handle] and will have to drop something.”

There are a variety of concerns freshmen have as they begin their high school experience.

Rickles is worried about an overload of homework, since it is new and different from middle school. Johnson is worried about earning good grades and losing friends from middle school in the transition to high school. Collier feared getting lost in the bigger high school building.

Junior Sara Edib offered advice to students regarding their clubs and extra curricular activities.

“If [you] find something you have a passion for or are really good at, like math [or] art, then go all out on it,” said Edib.