From how to explore artistic interests in freshman year, to learning how to balance sports and academics as a senior, each school year brings something new. As the seniors begin the finale to their grade school career, the new freshman class takes the next step to their goals. Seniors are passing along the torch and provide insight regarding how to survive high school.

Last year’s LOCO player of the month, Senior Tony Cammarota, gives his best advice for underclassmen football players. Something Cammarota wished he knew before freshman year: students are eligible to play freshman or JV football while in eighth grade. “Being Varsity Football Captain for two years taught me to be a leader on and off the field. I’ve learned to use my leadership skills in group projects during class.” Cammarota preaches to his younger players, “Hard work pays off.” 

Off the field and in the art room, Senior Francis Arlington offers advice to younger art enthusiasts: “I wish I had been a lot quicker to connect the art

assignments to what I wanted to do with art, so I could put more energy and emotion into what I was creating. Connect the art you are making to your own life and the things going on in the world around you in order to articulate your life experience through art. That is the most important thing about art. Striving for that early on in your creative process will greatly expedite the process.” 

Another branch of the Arts Department is the Woodgrove Marching Band. As enjoyable as it is, there’s tons of work that goes into the creation of these show-stopping performances. Senior and marching band flutist Ava Lynch gives some guidance to underclassman. “Study hall is actually a really important time to help you balance your academics and extracurriculars,” she says. Remaining motivated throughout the grueling daily summer practices is not always easy. “Think about the end goal of performing at finals and the feeling you’ll get,” recommends Lynch. 

 Woodgrove Senior Kyra Jones adds her advice, giving insight to underclassmen on how to manage classes, work, and more. “I wish I knew to not slack off during my freshman or sophomore year,” Jones comments, “and your grades count… so that by the time you get to junior year you already have a good GPA to set yourself up with.” Jones enjoys the challenge of AP and DE. When taking harder classes, she encourages students to use the resources at hand, such as the writing and math lab centers. Out of the classes she’s taken, Jones recommends AP US History for rising upperclassmen: “The curriculum is so interesting, and I also really loved my teacher, Mrs. Corrado.” 

From the Class of 2023, to the Class of 2026, here’s your DIY survival guide. Best of luck, Go Wolverines!