Back To School For UHS Students

School has started officially, and that means a few things for the folks here at UHS. It means that there are incoming freshmen, and a new senior class. It means that fall and Homecoming are right around the corner, and it means that fall sports are back in session.

Many students are wondering if the UHS football team and boy’s soccer team are going to live up to all the hype from last season. In 2012, the football team was the best in the Big 12 conference and won its first playoff game, led by quarterback Cameron Mammen, who graduated.

“I think it will be an up and down season,” said student and avid football watcher Abram Washington about the upcoming football season. “It depends on how we perform on offense and defense compared to the first game of the season.”

Last year, the soccer team was one of the best in Illinois, taking second place in state behind Peoria Notre Dame. Urbana’s star seniors, John Lukusa and Miguel Fierro, led the team.

Junior player Patrick Shea said, “Our defense and starting [lineup] are almost identical to last year’s team. I think it will be a good season.”

Another thing that happens around this time of year is that high school classes are in full swing for returning students. For freshmen, it is a completely different story. Right now, they are feeling the stressful excitement that is high school. They are still trying to find out where their classes are, meeting the teachers and fully experiencing the most important developmental stage in an adolescent’s life.

Many students are trying to adjust to the beginning of the school year – from switching classes to getting updates on the sports teams. All of the homework, stress and fun mix together to complete the high school experience.