Jace Heigham moved from Nagoya, Japan to Missouri last August, and this will be his first year attending a school in the KSD. His family made the 6,507 mile move so he could have an education from both cultures. He enjoys drama, having participated in many musicals over the summer to get to know Kirkwood and its residents better.
Q: How do you feel about going into high school?
A: I’m terrified. [High school] seems like a big place, and I seem so small in a school that’s huge.
Q: How will high school be different than it would have been for you in Japan?
A: You need to pass an exam to get into high school in Japan. So, it was possible to skip high school. It’s easier for me to go through [schooling here], but it still seems kind of scary.
Q: What difference do you see in schooling in America versus schooling in Japan?
A: In Japan, it’s just books. You read [them], the teachers give you lectures and you’re supposed to memorize everything. It’s harder. In America, you do activities with the knowledge you learn and you [can] retain information better.
Q: What strength do you have that you think will help you most in high school?
A: Since I lived through two cultures, I can see things from different angles. I think that will help me with critical thinking skills.
Q: How are you feeling about your first year at Kirkwood?
A: Hopefully my grades will be fine. I think they’ll be decent.
Carolyn Vandagriff went from Keysor to NKMS, and now to KHS, following in the footsteps of her brother, Thomas, a sophomore. Her first real introduction into high school will be band camp, but from there, she will continue to follow her interests in theater with the drama department at Kirkwood.
Q: How are you feeling about going into high school?
A: I’m pretty nervous, but I’m also excited for all the new experiences. [I’m ready] to meet new people and to try new things.
Q: How are you feeling leaving middle school?
A: I feel sad, but at the same time, I’m ready to start a new chapter [of my life].
Q: Is there anything you’re worried about in regards to new classes and people?
A: I’m [mostly] nervous about not having any classes with my friends, but I know I will make new friends [as well]. I would say I’m a kind, friendly person, and I think that helps a lot with making new friends.
Q: What activities are you looking forward to?
A: I’m looking forward to the plays, musicals and marching band. [But], I’m most excited to see all my friends. I’ve missed them so much, especially my bestie Helena.
Q: How do you think having an older sibling will help and/or hurt you going into KHS?
A: I think it will definitely help because I know more about teachers and classes, but it can definitely hurt because my brother [will] tease and joke around with me [in school].
Trip Nieman went to Nipher and has been a part of the Kirkwood swim team for years. He spent his summer at Joseph Baldwin Academy at Truman State, working at Camp Kirkwood and going on a road trip around the Northwest.
Q: How do you feel about going into high school?
A: A little nervous, but mostly excited. I’m excited for [meeting new] people. I consider myself pretty extroverted. [I’m ready] to make new friends and to have more opportunities to talk to other people.
Q: What class are you most nervous for?
A: Physics, because I heard that it can be really hard. But, I did [well] in Algebra. I consider myself to be pretty good [at math]. I can understand and solve more advanced problems, but it can take [some] time before I understand what I’m doing.
Q: What are you most excited for?
A: I’m looking forward to swim. I’m on the swim team. It’s all about improvement and getting faster and stronger.
Q: Anything you’re excited for before school starts?
A: I’m excited for [finishing work] at Camp Kirkwood and going on vacation. [My family and I are] spending [time] in Kansas, Colorado, Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Wyoming.
Q: What strength do you have that will help you in high school?
A: I’m able to talk to anybody. I like [getting] to know people. Making friends allows you to learn about yourself, [as well as] the other person.
