Four years can feel like a lifetime in high school. For freshmen at Olathe West, the first weeks are full of nerves, crowded hallways and learning how to navigate a new world. For seniors, those same halls carry memories of where it all started— and the weight of knowing it’s almost over. 

Freshmen talk about getting lost on the way to class and the relief of finding a lunch table that feels like home. Seniors, meanwhile, look back on those moments with a smile. They remember being in those shoes, but now they’re the ones offering advice, leading spirit weeks and filling out college or job applications. 

Even though freshmen and seniors are at opposite ends of the high school journey, their stories overlap. Both are figuring out who they are— one just beginning, the other getting ready to move on.

The first few weeks of high school haven’t been easy. Some freshmen admit they felt overwhelmed on day one.

“The first day was very nerve-racking and took me a little to get used to,” freshman Avery Lakin said.

Others describe the excitement of new freedom— choosing where to sit, trying new clubs, and being part of a much bigger community.

“So far I really like volleyball and the community,” freshman Lilian Mater said.

For seniors, the challenge isn’t learning the schedule anymore— it’s preparing for what comes next. They’re balancing college applications, senior events, and the bittersweet reality of their ‘lasts.’”

“I’m kind of glad that It’s going to be over, but I am very thankful that my high school career has happened,”senior Allie Farmer said.

What connects freshmen and seniors is that both are standing at a threshold. Freshmen are entering a world they’ve never known before. Seniors are leaving the only high school world they’ve ever known. Somewhere in between the classrooms, and the Friday night games, both are discovering just how much can change in four short years.