As the summer sun turned into a cool fall breeze, students began the 2024-2025 school year.

Doors opened Monday, August 26 for the freshmen. They spent two days in the school getting to know John Carroll during their orientation.

Assistant Principal of Student Affairs Jake Hollin said that orientation organizers focused on “getting to know other classmates as well as gathering information that will help them be successful.”

The first day allowed freshmen to meet their advisors and teachers, learn their locker combinations and schedules, and begin to get used to JC campus life.

The second day focused on The Breadwinner, the freshman summer reading book, and meeting with the different departments to ensure that students understood the intended meaning of the book.

On August 28, upperclassmen had their orientation. This orientation was only one day but was very eventful.

The sophomores, juniors, and seniors reported to Advisory to receive their lockers and schedules and then were sent off for an opening prayer service in the auditorium.

Students spent the morning split by grade level and were taken one-by-one to stations held in the gym, auditorium, and café. Students were informed of new rules and provided grade-specific information.

Students also went to each of their first mod classes for 15 minutes for brief meetings with their teachers.

On August 29, all the students entered the building for the first day of school. Freshmen were introduced to crowded hallways, long lunch lines, and older role models while the upperclassmen met the younger peers who will be there for their remaining time at JC.

Students were given syllabuses, met new teachers, and said a friendly “hello” to all their friends.

Mr. Hollin said his favorite part of the first day of school is seeing everyone in the building.

“It’s exciting. It’s why we are in education: to be around young people and get energy from them. It feels good to have students here,” he said.

Junior Savannah Claycomb said, “My favorite part of the first day of school is seeing all my friends again.”

Junior Olivia Straub enjoyed the first day as well and commented, “My favorite day of the year is the first day. I love the thrill of seeing my new classes and teachers.”

This was a special first day of school for Service Coordinator Kristen Brown. She worked as an elementary school teacher for 21 years and said that this first day was extra special. “Since I’m not teaching anymore, this year was a lot less pressure. I also enjoy my new role and working with older students.”

The bell rang to mark the end of the first full day for everyone at 2:45 pm, bringing the first week to a close.