About the Class of 2023

As the end of the 2021-2022 school year approaches, the junior class of Hayfork High School get ready to take over the spot of top dog. This is a position that they have been heavily prepared for and have overcome many challenges for. The number one challenge that they have faced was COVID, which showed up their freshman year of high school.

When the juniors were freshman a little over halfway through the year, the school took a “break” that ended up lasting the rest of the year. Learning was then done online. This year was hard because COVID hit Hayfork High School hard. Many of the juniors were out for various weeks with COVID. Some of those individuals reported that work was hard because it was hard to focus and it caused a lot of stress.

The start of freshman year was normal for the junior class, but that quickly changed. As a result of COVID, distance learning was introduced which proved to be a challenge for many of the students as they were still getting use to the transition into high school. There was a lack of any type of socializing while they were learning online. This took a toll on many of the kids’ mental health and caused their grades to suffer. Anthony Canavesio said, “Freshman year was fun, I learned a lot. Sophomore year was hard because of social distance learning. Now that in school learning is back it is easier, I get to hang out with my friends and it is easier to focus on the work.”

Many of the students chose to come back to school after summer, their sophomore year, which was able to happen because of the hybrid learning model the school had adapted. The hybrid learning model split the kids up between days, some would be going on Monday and Wednesday, while others would be going Tuesday and Thursday. Junior class President Lilly Napier says, “I feel as if that distanced my class a lot because now, my class doesn’t feel as connected as we used to be”.

The juniors are prepared to explore the world outside of Hayfork and high school. Every single person has a plan for after high school whether it is to go to a university or a vocational school, going into the work force, or plans to travel. The junior class has more than enough ambition and experience to succeed in the “real world.” They have gratitude towards their teachers, peers and themselves, for getting them where they are now and preparing them for any future endeavors. Siena Yang summarized this well, “For me, high school is about putting in dedication to schoolwork, sports, and friendships. I learned that when I was in my sophomore year. Of course, Covid-19 was a big part of my high school experience and it affected everything in my life. But it also helped me shape who I am right now—an ambitious girl who’s ready to explore the realities of the world.”

Many of the soon-to-be seniors believe that because the school is small there are more opportunities to get help when it is needed. Kimberly Gritts, Lily Vance, Iris Coty, Shiloah Colby, and Sparrow Colorado all talked about how it is easier to be themselves because the school is small, it being a quality that they value it. One-on-one time with the teachers is easy to achieve when the students need help. The AG program, from the information gathered, is valued among the students. We are lucky to have the facilities that we do for the AG program since we are such a small school said by Trenton Haight. Since there are only about 80 kids in the school and only about 20 in each AG class the work available is plentiful says Matt Sampson. The AG program takes part in conferences, raise and sell animals at the local fair; Noah Fielding took part in at least one of these.

The junior class re-laid the message of how important it is to study, stay on top of your work and to find your place on campus. Chitau Moua says “Speak up and do not let another person carry you.” Remember to study and try your best not to fall behind in your classes. Once you fall behind then the work starts to pile up where it starts to feel like you’re drowning in assignments. Don’t feel like you’re not doing enough you will figure everything out eventually.

We, the media class, thank all the class of 2023 for being cooperative and allowing us to take time out of their day for these questions. They are determined for their futures to be the best they possibly can be, while being a group of ambitious individuals. We cannot wait to see all the things they achieve in their lives.