BELLAIRE • MEMORIAL • RIVER OAKS • TANGLEWOOD • WEST UNIVERSITY

Observations, Opinions and Opportunities: First-Day Impressions at Bellaire High School

By Ryan Lee, Bellaire High School, School Buzz Reporter | August 31, 2016

Click the Buzz Me button to receive email notifications when this writer publishes a new article or a new article in this column is published.

Bellaire High School students Linda Chan and Troy Hays in front of lockers.

The taste of food in the cafeteria. The mysterious, inconsistent smell that changes throughout as both students and faculty walk the hallways. The sound of the ringing bell that sends students to their next class. The sight of faces both old and new.

Yes, school is back in session at Bellaire! The high school’s 2016-2017 year kicked off Monday, Aug. 22. Naturally, everyone, from students to administration, had their own opinions of day one, though it just may be the teachers’ that vary the most. For them, it’s a new year full of new students (and perhaps for some, returning ones). It makes sense that their opinions would differ significantly.

I had the opportunity to speak with two of them in particular: World Geography and U.S. History teacher Mrs. Sandya Lawrence, and Principles of IT and Digital Media teacher Mrs. Tania Andrews, asking them about their feelings of day one.

I spoke with Mrs. Lawrence first, who felt that the day delivered both excitement and exhaust.

Ryan: How would you describe the first day?

Mrs. Lawrence: [It was] smooth yet tiring.

Ryan: How so?

Mrs. Lawrence: The juniors stayed in Advocacy for hours, even though there was nothing for them to do. Really, Advocacy was only for the freshmen, for them to get to know the school and whatnot.

Ryan: Was there a part of the first day that was particularly exciting or memorable?

Mrs. Lawrence: No, not really.

Mrs. Andrews saw things similarly, but also a little bit differently.

Ryan: How would you describe the first day?

Mrs. Andrews: [It was] hectic but fun.

Ryan: In what way?

Mrs. Andrews: I enjoyed meeting all the new students. It’s also really crowded, and the hallways - my God, the hallways - but once you get used to it, it’s like a big party.

In short, I’d say these teachers’ opinions are different but exactly the same, for lack of a better expression. They’re obviously both excited yet stressed about the upcoming year, naturally (I’d bet many people are, of course), and things are looking up as Bellaire readies for the coming year.