Cheers to the class of ‘27! No, we’re not evicting you guys two years early (sorry for the excite), but we are taking a moment to commemorate what may appear to be the most challenging step in your high school career: the second year.
Following the grace period of freshman year, sophomores are met with something the Wire have recently coined as the “freshmen fallout” effect. F.F.E. is a pretty nouveau concept, but if you’ve ever encountered scrambled sophomores darting between sports and an unsightly amount of extracurriculars, you’re probably not unfamiliar with it.
It’s crunch time for a lot of our second-years, and by dabbling in different activities, organizations, and cultures in & around NAHS, they’re getting the experience they need to (hopefully) develop their niche and identities. Now that the adjustment period is done and over with, many sophomores have college, careers, and long-term goals in mind. Students who have already curated an idea of their intended secondary plans make a point of dedicating their time to building specific crafts, hobbies, and skill sets. For one, sophomore Loana Ricci, a cellist of the North Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra & member of the Fine Arts department, has a deep-set interest in music and architecture and plans to explore both as potential career paths. “I definitely know where my passion and realism meet,” said Ricci. “But it’s great that I get to involve so much of my hobby into my pathway.”
The crux of many students’ school lives, Ricci’s included, are created by standalone interests or talents that separate them from the rest of the crowd. It’s these traits that help underclassmen navigate what they might feel like doing once they fly the eleven-story coop, which is why plenty are uniquely stressed about sophomore year. Franklin Pickens, co-class senator of the 10th grade, agrees that the class of ‘27 is under a different type of duress this year, “I think the beginning of the semester was when things started getting serious,” Pickens said. “We’re already halfway done at this point, and plenty of people are still trying to figure themselves out.”
Legitimate or not, F.F.E. is definitely something we can all sympathize with. So to our sophomores- chin up! You’ve got nothing but time and smiles on your side- no pressure to get all your ducks in a row right this second. We’re all rooting for you, and can’t wait until the “cheers to the class of ‘27” toast becomes a worthwhile reality!
