A golden first week

By Mia Littleton

Hey, PCHS! Welcome back to school. There have been many changes during these first few weeks. New friends, new teachers, new environment, and lots of adjusting! It gets a little crazy, right?

Considering this unfamiliarity, The Black and Gold decided to interview students and get their perspectives on all the new things that have happened. 

Sabella Rodgers - Sophomore

“My first week went pretty good, I enjoyed the majority of my classes and I like we didn’t do a bunch on the last days of school. Everyone here seems pretty chill so far. My favorite class right now is American History Honors with Mrs. Phillips, but my favourite teacher would have to be Mr. Norman or Mrs. Bucks. I really like how modernized the school is and how big it is– like the classrooms.”

Ella Frazer, Sabella Rodgers, and Mia Angelo (Pictured left to right) enjoying a Friday night football game at PCHS. Photo Credit: Sabella Rodgers

Alba Wilson - Sophomore

“My first week went okay, I just kept getting lost a lot throughout the first days…My favorite classes right now would have to be yearbook and/or theatre. My favorite teacher would definitely have to be Mrs. Bucks. Also, I really like how big the new school is and how much can fit inside.

Courtney Stevenson - Senior

“My first week didn’t go exactly as I wanted it to—it wasn’t my favorite. But, I do like doing my college classes. So, that’s good. I can’t say I have a favorite teacher at the moment, but I like how clean the new school looks. It doesn’t look like a dirt pile compared to the other ones.”

Seniors Bailey Grimes and Courtney Stevenson (left to right ) on their last first day of high school. Photo Credit: Ehren Rolle

Genevieve Toler - Sophomore

“My first week was kinda mediocre, it was kinda boring at the beginning. My favorite class is theatre, and my favorite teacher is definitely Mrs. Bucks. One thing I love about the new school is the new chairs that they bought for the classrooms, they just feel and look nicer.”

Chloe McConville - Sophomore

“My first week actually went really well. I thought I wasn’t gonna make any new friends in a new area, but Mrs. Bradley helped me meet some new people and now I have a group of new friends. My favorite class is theatre and my favorite teacher is Mrs. Bucks. I wasn’t here last year to see the old school, but I like the cafeteria area—it looks nice.

Mrs. Pinilla's first period Spanish class on the first day of school. Photo Credit: Mrs. Rebecca Lansche

Harmony Gray - Junior

“The first week for me went pretty well, but I did get lost a lot the first day and was late to my first class….It ended up being okay. My favorite class is definitely theatre, but my favorite teacher is Master Chief. He’s always so nice to everyone and he’s been there for me from the start. I like the fact that the new school has a nicer upstairs area, it looks cooler and more advanced.”

Mrs. Lansche - Principal

“The first week of school went amazing. All the kids at this school did a fantastic job at transitioning into the new building. My favorite part about the new school was just the whole open concept of it, everyone just looked so excited. I love how modern the new school is and how the kids can collaborate on exploring and finding all the new things. However, I really miss how many memories we made and how much happened in the school—it was like just a big picture book of memories.”

Aniyah King (Senior) and Angel Garner (Sophomore) pose for a photo before they cheer for the Hurricanes football team. Photo Credit: Aniyah King

Mrs. McCandless - Guidance Counselor

“Although the first week was good, I felt like everything just continued. Other than the new school, it felt like all things stayed the same. Honestly, my favourite thing about this new school is just seeing all the new kids and kids I’ve already seen in the building. The one thing I miss about the old school is Mrs. Wayne. I miss her!”

Mr. Spiece - Assistant Principal

“The first week went great! The kids are great, the school is beautiful… just an outstanding way to start off the school year. I love how spacious this new building is. Everything feels so unpacked and open– it all just feels so unbelievable. I really just miss the memories from the old building, though. There was so much nostalgia walking through everyday. It’s been there for so many people and so many memories have been made. That’s the biggest thing to me.”

The Lady Cane JV Volleyball team, all smiles in the new gym. Photo Credit: Hiram Lupton

Mrs. Nunley - Math Teacher

“The first week was very, very busy, but it was not bad. My favorite thing is probably all the space for the teachers and students….I think I miss everything about the old school. All of it.”

Mrs. Bucks - Theatre Director

“The first week went really well for me, I have no complaints yet. I like being able to be with my fellow staff members for the first week instead of being in the auditorium away from everybody. I do sort of miss the clutter of the old school. I miss going in and everyone was everywhere.”

It's safe to say that this school year is off to a good start! The Black and Gold looks forward to seeing what this new building and school year will bring the Hurricanes.