What Do Freshmen Highlanders Have to Share?

Whether you’re part of the Class of 2029 preparing for your freshman year, or you’re simply curious about what freshmen Highlanders have to say about their classes, the challenges they faced, or the advice they’d give, feel free to keep reading and dive into this exclusive interview!

Q: Did you feel engaged and motivated in your classes this year? Why or why not?

“It was 50\50 because sometimes I was really motivated and actually got my work done but most of the time I had a lot of trouble focusing and I tend to daydream more than work.” – Tashara Lynn Spencer, a freshman Highlander here at DMHS shared with us.

“Yes because I had good teachers.” – Yencarlos Mesa, a freshman Highlander explained.

“Only my 2nd and 3rd and maybe 4th and 50/50 to my 6th and 7th 25%.” – Harshal Khawas, a freshman Highlander reflected on.

“I felt really engaged with this year with most of my classes, some were boring you know but it’s whatever. The reason I felt really engaged this year was because of friends and teachers, they would keep me engaged with my work and my friends and I would help each other out.” – A freshman Highlander expressed.

“Somewhat yes, but everyday it was the same thing over and over again. There wasn’t really a time where I could relate to a topic in class.” – A freshman Highlander looked back on.

“Yes I did, many of my classes were engaging and some were pretty difficult. I feel that it depends on who is teaching the class.” – A freshman Highlander voiced.

“Sometimes if the class is fun.” – A freshman Highlander stated.

“Yes I did because I had to get into groups and study with friends.” – A freshman Highlander added.

“Yes, it was entertaining.” – A freshman Highlander revealed.

“Yes because speeches.” – A freshman Highlander shared.

“I felt like I had to be engaged so I could get a good grade.” – A freshman Highlander emphasized.

“At first yeah but after the year started progressing, I started to get bored.” – A freshman Highlander mentioned.

“Yes because when I felt like I was a part of the classes that I took part in.” – A freshman Highlander articulated.

“[Yes] because the school and material was great and the teachers were nice to give me extra time or help me out after I’m thankful.” – A freshman Highlander voiced out.

“No because it was an alright year.” – A freshman Highlander proclaimed.

“SOMEWHAT. I don’t really engage in my classes… Are they motivating? Ehhh not really.” – A freshman Highlander revealed.

“I love when I feel like I’m consuming knowledge and it encourages me to want to learn more.” – A freshman Highlander expressed.

“I try to be engaged in all my classes besides math, I don’t feel motivated or engaged.” – A freshman Highlander said.

Q: What was the best part of this school year for you? Any memorable moments?

“Hanging out with my friends and the field trip to Worcester State had to be the best moments due to the fact during the field trip I got to go on stage which was my dream since I’m a very outgoing person. And hanging out with my friends just bring me genuine Joy.” – Tashara Lynn Spencer, a freshman Highlander looked back on.

“Worcester state trip.” – A freshman Highlander expressed. 

“My history class.” – Saya Figueroa, a freshman Highlander stated.

“When I had gym first quarter.” – Yencarlos Mesa, a freshman Highlander emphasized.

“Me in the weightroom grinding and playing ball.” – Harshal Khawas, a freshman Highlander revealed.

“It was before christmas break, and I was playing board games for my whole 1st period. It was so fun and it’s one of my most favorite moments.” – A freshman Highlander reminisced.

“Making new friends.” – A freshman Highlander mentioned.

“The best part of the school year for me was the charlie brown play, it was very fun!” – A freshman Highlander revisited.

“Varsity soccer.” – A freshman Highlander stated.

“Having the pep rallys.” – A freshman Highlander shared.

“I dont believe there were any memorable moments in the school year.” – A freshman Highlander considered.

“Ms. Berman.” A freshman Highlander shared.

“Lunch with my friends.” – A freshman Highlander reminisced.

“Making my own game in my computer science class I never thought I would ever do something like that and it was really fun to do with my teachers help.” – A freshman Highlander made known.

“The pep rally.” –A freshman Highlander stated.

“Finding new friends and socializing.” A freshman Highlander emphasized.

“Just making any memories with friends.” A freshman Highlander voiced.

“Anytime we watched a movie in class or did something fun.” A freshman Highlander revealed.

Q: What was the biggest challenge you faced this school year?

“My thoughts, my gut, my body, and then my mentality and challenges.” – Harshal Khawas, a freshman Highlander unpacked. 

“The grading system” – Yencarlos Mesa, a freshman Highlander stated.

“Motivation.” – Tashara Lynn Spencer, A freshman Highlander expressed.

“Math.” – Saya Figueroa, A freshman Highlander noted.

“Getting honors roll, it was super hard to keep my grades up but I dedicated myself to get better each quarter and it worked.” – A freshman Highlander revealed.

“Fitting in.” – A freshman Highlander added.

“The biggest challenge that I faced this school year was keeping my grades up so I don’t have to take the finals. It is difficult although not impossible.” – A freshman Highlander articulated.

“Always giving 100% effort.” – A freshman Highlander emphasized.

“My math class.” – A freshman Highlander stated.

“Waking up in the morning and coming to school.” – A freshman Highlander mentioned.

“Having to do all the work.” – A freshman Highlander said.

“Being on time and accurate with my work.” – A freshman Highlander reflected on.

“Turning in assignments on time. I eventually got used to it, and did my work though.” – A freshman Highlander communicated.

“Tests maybe.” – A freshman Highlander stated.

“Staying completely in school I would sleep or play around a lot but at the last quarter I realized that I don’t want to fail a class and try my hardest to keep up my grade and still trying.” – A freshman Highlander opened up.

“I didn’t face any major or big challenges.” – A freshman Highlander shared.

“Fitting into a group of friends that understands you.” – A freshman Highlander communicated.

“My math teacher.” – A freshman Highlander shared.

Q: How do you feel about the support you received from teachers and staff this year? What support do you hope to receive next school year?

“They helped really well but I feel like I need more help next year due to the fact I struggle with focus and motivation.” – Tashara Lynn Spencer, a freshman Highlander opened up.

“I felt good about the support I received. What I hope for next year is more help in the topics that I struggle in.” – Yencarlos Mesa, a freshman Highlander looked forward too.

“I got a lot of support and I hope I can get the same treatment next year.” – Harshal Khawas, a freshman Highlander said. 

“More support.” – Saya Figueroa, a freshman Highlander desired. 

“The support I had gained from this year was very good, most of my teachers were really kind and helped me if I asked. I wish that next school year that all my teachers can be nice and very very supportive.” – A freshman Highlander expressed. 

“I feel good about the support I received because it really helped me. Support I hope to receive next school year is anything that I’d need help with.” – A freshman Highlander anticipated.

“In many classes, I am very grateful for the support that I received and how there are many different opportunities there are to help you as a student succeed.” – A freshman Highlander disclosed.

“Good support.” – A freshman Highlander shared.

“The help from people was good and I hope for the same.” – A freshman Highlander added.

“I feel that they supported me well because they gave the attention I needed when I wanted help.” – A freshman Highlander anticipated.

“I think the support was great. There were teachers that made learning fun.” – A freshman Highlander proclaimed.

“Good and mostly because I got my workers permit and they helped me a lot.” – A freshman Highlander shared.

“I felt like I had enough support to strive and succeed.” – A freshman Highlander voiced. 

“Eh it was cool.” – A freshman Highlander said.

“The support from the teachers was amazing I feel like it was better than any other years they made time for me when I needed it and didn’t give up on me even when I would sleep a lot in class.” – A freshman Highlander explained.

“Pretty good, I hope to continue getting good grades and succeeding.” – A freshman Highlander looked forward too.

“My teachers make work understanding if you’re confused, but remember they can’t read minds so ask if you need help.” – A freshman Highlander emphasized.

Q: What advice can you give to Class of 2029?

“Just don’t say you will do it later, do it now. If you want to pass with great grades this year, do all your work before its due. If you dont have enough time always ask your teacher to extend the due date. But always get your work in with full effort.” – A freshman Highlander voiced out.

“A piece of advice for the class of 2029 is to find friends that care about you as a person, high school may be difficult, and it is even worse with drama on top of that. Also, use your resources, take advantage of extra credit, extra help and any other opportunities to boost your grade. Lastly, get involved, it is very simple!” – A freshman Highlander added.

“Don’t skip stay focused.” – Saya Figueroa, a freshman Highlander stated.

“Try your best, stay on task and don’t slack off.” –  Tashara Lynn Spencer, a freshman Highlander shared.

“Get used to it.” – Yencarlos Mesa, a freshman Highlander said.

“Try hard.” – A freshman Highlander added.

“Lock in.” – A freshman Highlander voiced.

“Have fun you only live once.” – A freshman Highlander expressed.

“Manage your time management well.” – A freshman Highlander shared.

“That they should learn the buildings layout.” – A freshman Highlander suggested.

“Have fun and mostly with MCAS.” – A freshman Highlander shared.

“Don’t try and be cool, and also go to class on time and do your work.” – A freshman Highlander said.

“Come to class.” – A freshman Highlander voiced.

“High school aint as fun as they say it is.” – A freshman Highlander proclaimed.

“Try your best from the beginning and try to have an average of 95 or up to stay out of finals it would be better to do so.” – A freshman Highlander suggested.

“Be good in your classes, stay out of trouble.” – A freshman Highlander expressed.

“Be the change you want to see.” – A freshman Highlander emphasized.

“Just keep winning and if someone tries to stop your flow, force it and keep winning and always keep flying high to your dreams.” – Harshal Khawas, a freshman Highlander voiced.

“First off sleep is a very major major thing, GET YOUR SLEEP! Try to get to class on time. Yeah you may fall off and come late once and awhile. But don’t make it an constant thing. Same for coming to school. Attendance is important, and summer school is REAL! Most importantly don’t wait until you’re failing in a class and the quarter is almost over. {STUDYING/PRACTICE} IS THE KEY You GOT THIS! Get the help you need, even if it means you half to stay after school for a little. ALSO chose wisely in the crowd you chose to be around. Some are good influences and some are JUST NOT. BUT enjoy your freshman year! I hope the best for the other person on the other end! :)” – A freshman Highlander articulated.

Q: What else do you want to share with us today?

“The teachers are amazing and I can’t wait to meet any new teachers I have in my future years in this school.” – A freshman Highlander shared.

“Nothing thank you though, bye guys.” – A freshman Highlander added.

“I hope sophomore year can be better.” – A freshman Highlander hoped.

“Nothing much but um #gohighlanders.” – A freshman Highlander added.

“Keep striving towards your goals.” – A freshman Highlander emphasized.

“Have a good freshman year class of 2029!” – A freshman Highlander shared.

After hearing what freshmen Highlanders had to say about the 2024-2025 school year at Doherty Memorial High School, what are you curious about? What surprised you the most? Do you think the next school year will be improved? Good luck to the Class of 2029 as they soon begin their freshman year, and best wishes to the rising sophomores for a great school year ahead! Share your thoughts by clicking the comment button on your right-hand side. Tune in for more interview articles.