STUDENTS are quick to remember their first day of school, but have they ever wondered about the adults around them? It’s easy for teenagers to forget that adults were their age once. Adults went through the same things. Many Lancers might not know this, but there are teachers at Granger who also attended as students! 

Mr. Burton, a 1983 graduate, remembers being the smallest kid in school! He thought high school was scary. Back then, they didn’t start as 9th graders, but 10th instead. “I just wanted to make friends and I didn’t know if I was going to be able to,” Mr. Burton said. “I thought, ‘Nobody is going to know me.’” 

Many students struggle on their first day of school, and that’s completely normal. Luckily, Granger has many resources for those struggling to adjust to school. Granger’s counseling center is an amazing place to get advice or seek support. 

“I wish someone told me on my first day of high school to just be confident and know that the teachers are there to help you and want to see you succeed, not fail,” Mr. Burton said. Lancers should know, that advice remains true today. Confidence is key. And don’t worry, the teachers are pretty great too.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Ms. Robinson is also a Granger alumni! “I came here in 88’. I did many extracurricular activities as well as being in all AP and honors classes,” Ms. Robinson said. “I feel like I didn’t fit in at all. I didn’t dress the same way everyone dressed. I didn’t have the same interests as everyone else.” No matter the time, everyone has felt left out. It’s a part of growing up. Teenagers need time to discover who they are and who they like being around.

While some parts of high school never change, others have. “I remember we used to have a very popular homecoming parade. Things back then were like the movies,” Robinson said. It’s crazy to think that Granger could’ve changed so much. It begs the question: what will be different after this generation graduates?

Ms. Green graduated from Granger in 1999. On her first day, she remembers being excited. “I had joined the drill team and practiced with them over the summer, so I felt like I had friends. I felt like they were the ‘cool kids,”’ Ms. Green said. Being a part of extracurricular activities is a great way to get out there and meet new people. Granger has many different sports teams and unique clubs that are looking for new members every year! If interested, keep an eye out for posters announcing tryouts and club information. 

“I came here from 2004 to 2007. On my first day, I remember meeting all of my teachers,” Ms. Funk said. Teachers make impressions on their students, even on the first day. 

Some teachers wish that Granger put more emphasis on the first day of school. “I wish the school did more to get kids excited for the beginning of school. Big smiles for everyone on the first day and everything goes smoothly,” Funk said. Emotions run high at the beginning of the year. Making students feel more comfortable couldn’t hurt. 

No matter what a student’s first day is like, it’s memorable. Granger has a way of sticking in Lancer’s memories. Remember, one day doesn’t equate to the whole year. No matter how the first day goes, there’s more to come, each with something special to be had.