The transition from middle school to high school is not always a smooth one. Incoming freshmen can often be overwhelmed by the sudden shift in schedules, teachers, policies and general environment; the class of 2014 is no exception. The Falcon took questions from freshmen and turned them to experience upperclassmen for answers.

Question:
“What does ASB stand for? What do they do, anyway?”
– freshman Michael Zheng
Answer:
“ASB stands for Associated Student Body. They organize school events like homecoming, prom, student elections, and other things like that. I think they’re awesome because they do so much work but not many people really know what they do.”
– senior Walter Hsiang
“ASB is like student council for the entire school. They do a lot of work for the school. They do fundraising and overall just help the school run smoothly, keeping the school’s flow in check. They also organize special events.”
– senior Sarah Blegen

Question:
“Do they really yell at freshmen at rallies? Why do they do that?”
– freshman Rachel Perera
Answer:
“It’s really just tradition. But you should get involved in rallies! Go to the office and sign up. It’s really fun to participate.”
– Walter Hsiang, senior
“It’s almost like a rite of passage, I guess. Everyone goes through it and it’s just a tradition. When you become a sophomore it’s exciting because now you can yell at the freshmen and there’s people below you and when you’re a senior you feel like you’ve really earned that right. It’s more to celebrate that you’ve gotten a year older than to actually yell at freshmen. There’s no hard feelings.”
– senior Sarah Blegen

Question:
“What are we supposed to do during tutorials? Is there anything we have to do, exactly?”
– freshman Drew Kriens
Answer:
“Ideally, you should spend the time getting extra help on schoolwork. Connecting with your teachers is always good, too. But really most people just hang out with their friends, because who doesn’t want to do that in 40 minutes of free time? If you need help or have tests and other things to make up, though, definitely go see your teachers. That’s what the time is for. But no one’s going to force you to do anything during tutorial.”
– senior Walter Hsiang
“You don’t have to do anything, actually. A lot of people just hang out with their friends, but you can also go talk to your teachers for help on material or make up tests that you missed. It’s basically a free period.”
– senior Sarah Blegen

Question:
“Do we have to swim in PE?”
– freshman Rachel Perera
Answer:
“I heard that you do a swimming section in PE, like a unit. I never took PE myself, but I heard the swimming was fun!”
– senior Sarah Blegen
“I never took PE because I’m a swimmer, so I don’t know. But I have to swim anyway.”
– senior Walter Hsiang

Question:
“How do you use the locker rooms if you’re taking a sport like swimming? Are you allowed to get a locker for yourself?”
– freshman Michael Zheng
Answer:
“I do swimming and yeah, you can get a locker for yourself. Just bring a lock and stick it on whichever locker you want, but make sure to register it first so they don’t cut off your lock. Typically we get the lockers in the back so that the people actually taking PE get lockers in the front.”
– senior Walter Hsiang
“I’ve never really had a locker, but my friend in field hockey had one. If you want one you just have to bring a lock and the office will help you set one up.”
– senior Sarah Blegen