The sophomores have entered their second semester with an emphasis on accomplishing academic goals, plans for post-graduation life, and serving as role models for younger students at FWPA.
Most of the 10th graders are planning to do better in their classes and improve their GPA. For instance, Sana Frozan shares her goal for this semester. She wants, “A 4.0 in every single class, have all A’s [and understand] everything.”
Emma Lee mentions her main goal for this term. “…to get my GPA to 4.0’s because even though they are all A’s, I will admit they are not my best work.” These two students are working toward academic improvement.
While some are preparing for these coming months, others have already started to think about post-graduation plans. For example, Eshaal Irfan states where she is considering going after graduating from FWPA. “I’m planning on doing a Running Start at Highline College. I’ll probably join a club.”
On the other hand, Najam Hassan is thinking about doing split classes at two different schools. Najam outlines, “I’m planning to [do] Running Start for Todd Beamer. [Then] take some of my classes at Todd and some of my classes at Highline.” This shows the different routes that scholars are preparing to take in the future.
Furthermore, Jordan Mwangi adds what he believes is a priority this semester. “Getting that extra work in, knowing that it’s for myself, not anybody else.” Jordan’s motivation is his drive for success, knowing that it will pay off in the end.
Moreover, Emma Lee highlights her work ethic for keeping up with the work that FWPA offers. “My motivation that I have for me right now is…in order for me to actually pass Running Start and make it to the future, I will need to do really well here as I am right now.”
In FWPA’s case, the school is neither a complete high school nor middle school. It’s a mix of both. In this way, the sophomores serve as inspirational figures for younger scholars. In particular, Anna Siegmund, a 7th grader, comments, “They are such leaders at this school and they try to plan things for the lower grades, like with the 6th graders.”
Nonetheless, similar to the 10th graders, the younger grades are also thinking about their own future initiatives and dreams. To illustrate, Chanreet Bains, an 8th grader, wants to adopt a quality which the 10th graders demonstrate. Chanreet responds, “Leadership skills and speaking in front of big groups of people.”
Wilson Nguyen, a 7th grader, gives advice to the 10th graders for their last semester at FWPA. “Just keep going, [and] never give up on your dreams.” His quote serves as a reminder to always persevere.
Therefore, Jewell Bowman shares what impact she thinks she’s having on the younger students. “Probably setting a good example of [being] hardworking and just being kind to people and not excluding anyone.” Jewell is executing her role as a leader within the school by taking steps to improve inclusivity.
Taken together, everyone has a path that they want to follow and dreams which they want to accomplish. For the sophomores of FWPA, it ranges from growth to perseverance, or for that matter, achieving academic excellence this semester. Everyone strives differently. For some, their world may be their education, but for others, like Jordan, “they mean the world to me, my parents,” he notes, suggesting the backbone of his accomplishments.
