Saddle up Cowboys!

Olivia Richardson, Web EIC • August 23, 2024

Canva artwork

As the bus rolls up to GHS for the first time after summer, all 1159 kids hop off with a different story and perspective on the school year. Some travel on planes from all parts of the world to join us this year, some are walking into the GHS doors for the first time as freshman, while some are arriving for the first time one last time as seniors. As we start this school year off there may be some nerves, excitement, or even a mix of the two.

Freshman Natalie Grgich said, “My biggest challenge has been getting to all my classes on time. I am not familiar with the school and the way things work yet, but I am excited to meet new people and learn about the things that I don’t know.” While Senior, SBO RaNae Rounds biggest challenge is, “Getting everyone involved and having school spirit. I think it’s hard having all the new incoming freshmen who have no idea what we are about here. I would not say that I am worried for this year but if I was going to stress about anything, it would be making sure everyone is included and participates when it is needed.”

Grantsville High School is a new place for the majority of the students. There are 309 freshmen attending GHS this year. That is 309 new students, 309 kids who have never attended a football game as a student of the school, 309 students who “have no idea what we are about here”, 309 freshmen who have never experienced the halls of highschool until August 13th of 2024. While most of the 850 other students at GHS have experienced high school before; all in their own ways.

4 of the 1159 students are not only new to the GHS hallways, but also to America. Our foreign exchange students are coming from all over the world. Two girls from Italy; Luna Musolino and Giusi Tilotta. Following Wataru Naganuma from Japan and Jonathan Haker from Germany. “High school in America is like a dream! In Italy we have the “american dream” and i’m living it. I’m so happy to be here. I miss pizza of course, the food isn’t bad here but italian pizza is italian pizza”, said foreign exchange student Luna Musolino.

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No matter where in the world you’ve come from, whether you’re a returning student or a new student, saddle up; you are now a cowboy. Get ready for the ride ahead, “I cannot wait to see what the ‘24-’25 school year brings us!” said SBO Secretary, RaNae Rounds.

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About the Contributor

Olivia Richardson

Doing anything by herself was hard. Going up the stairs was almost impossible. Going down was a little easier. She sat on the top step. She set her crutches by her side and started the slow descent. Sliding down step by step. After only a few steps she stopped. Olivia Richardson couldn’t take it anymore. The initial knee injury was hard, but the fact that she had had to get surgery and now couldn’t walk on it was even harder. So was the fact that no matter what no one understood what it was like. To not be able to do the things she loved. To not be able to even just practice with her volleyball team no matter how hard that practice was. Volleyball was a part of her. Liv had broken multiple parts of her knee. Tripping over a hurdle at a track meet had started this painful process, and was continued as her knee cap popped out of place at every volleyball practice. She had been through surgery, and grueling physical therapy that pushed her to her limits each and every time. She worked hard. She pushed through the pain, and at times it was constant. She was doing it for her team. She was doing it for her body. But most of all she was doing it for herself! She was the one who was going to come out on top. Then she could prove to them what she could do. Liv stood on the volleyball court. Varsity player. An asset to the team. She had come so far. Looking around she was filled with gratitude for the simple things she had taken for granted before. “Volleyball has given me opportunities to meet new people and travel” Liv said. She cherishes all the memories she makes with her team and she knows they will be there for her and in return she wants to be there for them when they go through hard times. Now she understands what it’s like to feel alone. What it was like for no one to understand how you feel. Also what it’s like to come out on top. To get through the hard times. Olivia Richardson had won!