With a new wave of freshmen coming in each school year, new expectations and rules are put into effect. Last year’s newly added phone policy, this year’s more in-depth student section etiquette, and the 90% attendance policy are all examples of these new student expectations.

Maryam Al-Medyadi, sophomore, is the posters and announcements commissioner for the Associative Student Body (ASB). She recalls the leaders of the freshmen assembly teaching them specific etiquette.

“I remember for the freshmen assembly, we had a video on certain sports etiquette and stadium etiquette, and one of [them] mentioned how there are certain sections in a student section where the seniors are in the front and the freshmen have to stay in the back, and they have to stay in their section,” Al-Medyadi said.

During sports games, students are encouraged to stay spirited and energetic, but are expected not to say or do anything harmful. However, at West Linn there’s more to school etiquette than behavior at sporting events.

Addison Woebke, junior, is one of ASB’s ninth grade advocates. Woebke believes that freshmen should put themselves out there and try new things, like joining a sports team or participating in events available to them.

“What they should expect [in high school] is change. They should expect good change, and sometimes a bad change. I feel like they really have to adapt, and they really get to grow in high school,” Woebke said. “There are so many new experiences, and they should really try to put themselves out there. There is never any better opportunity than high school to try new things and put yourself out there.”

Taylor Carr-Heuer, freshman, had a positive experience that was different from what he expected.

“High School is a lot better than I expected, and it’s a lot more inclusive than I expected,” Carr-Heuer said. “I expected it to be [like] a movie. Like [the ones] where everything is quite divided. But as I entered, I realized it’s a more inclusive environment than that.” 

Additionally, Carr-Heuer is hoping to learn new skills he can apply to himself for the rest of high school.

“I want to get good homework habits and an understanding of the school and the best way to be efficient and flow through high school,” Carr-Heuer said.

Megan Mandel, biology and Advanced Placement (AP) Environmental Science teacher, has frequently taught freshman classes throughout her time as a teacher.

“My advice is just to try and be brave, to take that step out of your comfort zone that you don’t really want to take. Don’t be worried about what other people might think, and you don’t even know who you are going to be friends with yet,” Mandel said. “That’s kind of the point, the more you lean into what you think you might want to try, the faster you’ll become comfortable, and the more you’ll be able to get the most out of high school.”

Current and incoming freshmen can look to ASB Instagram or the West Linn-Wilsonville district website for more information and guidance, or talk to one of ASB’s ninth grade advocates, their counselor, or Meagyn Karmakar, the assistant principal for the ninth grade.