The transition into high school can feel daunting, and with the shift to online learning the change may seem all the more overwhelming. But as bad as freshman year is made out to be, with a bit of guidance you’ll see how exciting your first year of highschool could be. After all, even KHS principal, Dr. Mike Havener, was a freshman once. This is his advice for the class of 2024. 

TKC: “What is your biggest piece of advice for the incoming freshmen?”

MH: “Going into high school is a big transition in a lot of people’s lives, and this year’s freshman class is going to experience it in a way that no one really has before. My main message is to get involved and keep up with your work. [With online school], it could be really hard to get involved, so even though it may be a bit different than it has been in the past, [try to] get involved. We’re going to make sure that we take care of the freshmen and provide opportunities for a smooth transition, both into high school and into online learning.”

TKC: “What do you want the incoming freshmen to know about KHS?”

MH: “As someone who didn’t go to KHS, I can say that there are so many different opportunities here that don’t exist everywhere. Embrace those. Sometimes when you don’t know what things are like in other schools, [you] take things [here] for granted. A Kirkwood Pioneer has the opportunity to take part in arts, music – it doesn’t just have to be athletics. You will find something that you love.”

TKC: “What do you want the incoming freshmen to know about becoming a Pioneer?”

MH: “Hang in there, stay with us, you are wanted 100%. You’re a Pioneer, we’re going to take care of you.”

TKC: “What do you want the class of 2024 to know about being freshmen?” 

MH: “I know people always get nervous about being a freshman, but you are only a freshman in high school once, so enjoy it. Don’t fear it, be excited.”

TKC: “If you could tell your freshman self one thing, what would it be?”

MH: “I was fortunate enough to be involved in a lot of things in high school, like I encourage you all to do. I would tell myself to enjoy it. It is a transitional period in your life, there’s going to be ups and downs,  but unless you really embrace it, you’re going to miss out on something you can never get back. I don’t want people to say ‘what if’ later on down the road. I want you to find your passions. I want you to do things that you may or may not know if you like. Try something new — take that class, it might be your passion or something that you do for the rest of your life. I would tell myself that. I didn’t really understand that then, but I do understand that now.”

TKC: “What do you want the incoming freshmen to know about online learning?”

MH: “I think that online learning is going to present itself to people at some point in their academic career because that is where the technology is at today. So this is an opportunity to have that experience. Whatever your next step is, you will most likely encounter an online class. Our teachers are still giving as much one-on-one support as possible, and this is an opportunity to get familiar with online learning before you get to those classes that won’t provide that further in your education.”