Freshman year is the uncomfortable and unpredictable melting pot that introduces you to the high school experience. With so many potential worries and concerns, freshman year can sometimes feel like an obstacle to overcome in many students’ lives. Here at La Salle, students are coming together in a new environment from schools all across the greater Portland area, getting to know their teachers and a complicated schedule, and starting to create new friendships and memories. Here’s what five La Salle freshmen had to say about their high school lives so far.

Maddie Khaw

How do you like La Salle?

“I like it, it’s good.”

What has been the hardest thing to adapt to?

“I feel like you’re more accountable for your own work. You have to be like more self disciplined to do your homework and stuff.”

How has your friend group changed?

“Yes, most of my friends from middle school went to Central Catholic, but I’ve made a lot of good friends; I’m really glad [that] I came here.”

What has been your best experience so far?

“Making new friends, I like the social part.”

What’s your favorite class or who is your favorite teacher so far?

“Mr. Doran, because he’s really thorough and funny.”

What’s the most significant difference about high school in comparison with middle school?

“It’s a lot bigger than my middle school, so that’s the biggest [difference] for me.”

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Andrew Keepes

How do you like La Salle?

“It’s pretty good.”

What has been the hardest thing to adapt to?

“The changing in the schedules like what days we have which classes and such.”

How has your friend group changed?

“It hasn’t really changed a lot. I knew quite a few kids before I came here.”

What has been your best experience so far?

“It’s a lot more freedom than middle school.”

What’s your favorite class or who is your favorite teacher so far?

“Mr. Mac is my favorite teacher. He’s really nice and understanding and makes learning fun.”

What’s the most significant difference about high school in comparison with middle school?

“[It’s a] much bigger space, [there’s a] bigger campus, [with] a lot more walking and stuff.”

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Sophia Donato

How do you like La Salle?

“Oh, I like it a lot! Everyone is really nice.”

What has been the hardest thing to adapt to?

“All the new apps I’ve had to get used to and using Schoology, considering some teachers don’t ever post their assignments; it can be hard to get used to.”

How has your friend group changed?

“I don’t have a lot of the same friends I did in middle school so I guess it’s changed a lot.”

What has been your best experience so far?

“Honestly just having friends and coming to school and being able to talk to them.”

What’s your favorite class or who is your favorite teacher so far?

“Mr. Doran, because he really keeps everyone awake, he’s awesome!”

What’s the most significant difference about high school in comparison with middle school?

“It’s a lot more independent. In middle school everyone’s involved [including] teachers and parents. High school is a lot more independent.”

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Eli Brunelle

How do you like La Salle?

“I’m really enjoying it. I find all of the teachers very helpful and all the older grades are really inclusive to the freshmen.”

What has been the hardest thing to adapt to?

“I would say getting around to all the classes.”

How has your friend group changed?

“It’s really adapted to incorporate a lot more people than just the kids I knew at Holy Family.”

What has been your best experience so far?

“Having more than just two or three teachers. All of my teachers are very different and have very unique teaching styles.”

What’s your favorite class or who is your favorite teacher so far?

“Mr. Doran! He has the kind of humor I find funny and he helps everybody.”

What’s the most significant difference about high school in comparison with middle school?

“Moving classes and having more teachers and kids.”

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Abby Sheets

How do you like La Salle?

“It’s fun and I like the classes.”

What has been the hardest thing to adapt to?

“Homework, there’s a lot more homework.”

How has your friend group changed?

“I’ve had more friends this year.”

What has been your best experience so far?

“Making JV2 volleyball.”

What’s your favorite class or who is your favorite teacher so far?

“English with Mr. Larson. He’s a good teacher and he’s super inspirational!”

What’s the most significant difference about high school in comparison with middle school?

“The lunch schedule.”