Heatwave doesn’t stop Back to School night: Photo of the Day 9/5/18

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Elizabeth Anderson

Emily Byrnes helps Matthew Gelhard sign up online to purchase a yearbook.

by Emily Reed, Co-Editor-in-Chief

On August 29, students flooded through the doors to greet a new school year on Back to School night. While the opportunity to discover the location of their classes and to socialize with old and new friends was welcome, the temperature, due to the broken air conditioner was a hot, but memorable, addition to the event.

To kick off the night, freshman orientation took place from 5:30-6:20.  Members of the Class of 2022 were grouped alphabetically by last name and showed a short video introduction to Linganore High School and the cell phone policy. Afterwards, members of the Student Government Association (SGA) presented a slide show to each class to familiarize students with the layout of the school and to decrease nerves regarding stereotypes of high school.

Afterward, the rest of the student body entered the school for the official start of Back to School Night from 6:30 – 7:45 where students rotated to all four of their classes with the exception of PREP. The SGA members were available around the building providing help to lost students and families.

Alex Ismael, member of the Class of 2019 and Vice President of SGA, recognizes another benefit to Back to School night beyond finding classes. He said, “Being able to meet teachers before the first class allows for a bit of the edge to be taken off of the first day, as you already know what to expect.”

The Marketplace was open from 5:00-6:30 and 7:00-7:45. Yearbooks and Linganore spirit wear were available for purchase at a discounted price. Tables for sports boosters, the PTSA, and FFA were also present.

In particular, the free water bottles available at the Frederick County Public Libraries table were especially useful to obtain cold water from the water fountains in the midst of the sweltering heat.

As Back to School Night drew to a close, Ismael was nostalgic. Ismael said, “To be a senior who just had his last first day, well, it is very surreal. I believe all of us, consciously or unconsciously, think ahead to senior year. I’m proud of how the Class of 2019 has grown and matured over these four years and I am beyond excited to see where the year takes us!”