Students bound for high school share expectations at ‘Rush’

Parents and teens returned to Sonoma Valley High School on Saturday, August 9 for RUSH, marking the inevitable end of summer. With less than a week left of school, some 1500 students picked up schedules, bombarded their guardians with paperwork and picked up essentials such as gym clothes, student body cards, and planners in Pfeiffer Gym, while vice principal Paul Tuohy kept order and looked on with his microphone.

Photos by Melania Mahoney

Senior Gisela Garcia with principal Micaela Philpot.

Students and parents pore over paperwork during Rush at the high school.

Incoming freshmen took in the campus with mixed looks of excitement and anxiety as RUSH marked the beginning of their high school experience. “I have no idea what to expect. The campus is a lot bigger. It’s going to be a big change,” said Lauren Popenoe, an incoming freshman who graduated from Adele Harrison Middle School. While many echoed Popenoe’s feelings on the daunting size of the high school, most newcomers are looking forward to their time at SVHS, “I’m expecting a lot more freedom than middle school. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Altimira graduate Megan McNeilly.
Some chose not to believe the hype however, and feel as if the experience will be nothing new, “I don’t expect it to be different from any other school year,” said Chris Kinnibuigher-Shooe coolly as he waited in line.
Whatever their experiences may come to be, after Saturday’s RUSH, these students are prepared for the new world SVHS presents. “There’s going to be a lot more diversity,” said Ben Marcus-Willers, a freshman coming from the small community at Sonoma Charter School. “I’m really hoping for a bigger atmosphere,” added Raeanne Finch, also coming from Sonoma Charter. In less than 10 days, these entering freshman will get their first taste of the real thing.