From waking up at the crack of dawn to driving on the highway to get to school, it’s quite an adventure.  We interviewed some of our freshman Berkley friends, as we are Berkley girls ourselves, about their typical day at SBRHS.

Samantha Kourtz

1. What time do you have to wake up in the morning?

I have to wake up at 5 a.m. and I have to wait out in my driveway with a flashlight so the bus driver can see me.

2. How long is your bus ride in the morning and afternoon?

The bus ride in the morning and afternoon is 45 minutes.

3. How do you feel about the amount of people who ride your bus?

There’s a lot of people on my bus!  I don’t think there’s one seat without two people in it!

4. What are the perks of being a Berkley student at SBRHS?

There are a lot more kids in my classes.  Berkley is such a small town that everybody knows everyone.  At SBRHS, the Berkley kids don’t know everyone from Somerset and vise versa.  We are all getting to know one another and the school itself.

5. How is going to school at SBRHS different than going to school at Berkley Middle School?

As I said before, Berkley is such a small town that everyone knew everybody and since there was only one elementary and middle school, we have been with the same group of kids since kindergarten and even preschool for a select few.  Also, Berkley Middle School is built as two long hallways and it is very easy to find your way around.  However, the new school, even though it’s a giant square, has a lot of confusing twists and turns, especially on the first floor.  However, the new school has lots of great technology and looks like a palace!

6. How are the classes different?

Berkley kids are like family and we know each other very well.  It’s been different seeing kids who you don’t know in your classes when you’ve been with the same kids for nine years.  I like how all of the classes in SBRHS are separated by level.  In Berkley, only our math was grouped by level starting in seventh grade.  It’s educationally beneficial that you’re going at a pace that is comfortable for you.

7. What are some of the things you like about going to school at SBRHS?

The people are really nice.  I was nervous right before school started because it was a whole different town with a ton of new people.  At the beginning, the Somerset and Berkley kids were very divided, especially the first day with just the freshman.  Over time, the two towns have mingled.  Some of my best friends are Somerset kids!

Laura Guirand

1. What time do you have to wake up in the morning?

I wake up at 5:15 a.m.

2. How long is your bus ride in the morning and afternoon?

The bus ride in the morning is around 45 minutes and the bus ride in the afternoon is around 50 minutes.

3. How do you feel about the amount of people who ride your bus?

In the morning there is not a lot of people so it is not very crowded. In the afternoon there is a lot of people so most of us sit 3 in a seat. When spring comes there probably won’t be a lot of people, due to sports.

4. What are the perks of being a Berkley student at SBRHS?

You get to meet a lot of new people, like if you did not like the person you were in middle school, its a good time to make a new start. Some other things are that in Berkley we don’t have the same technology SBRHS has, so it’s a new experience.

5. How is going to school at SBRHS different than going to school at Berkley Middle School?

Well one, it’s a bigger school. Also there are a lot of people you don’t know so it’s an opportunity to meet new people. At SBRHS you can chose classes you want to take, instead of having a premade schedule. Also, the technology is a lot more advanced.

6. How are the classes different?

In middle school, we were all placed in the same level class as everyone (except math). In high school you can chose the level you take and have the right pace in what you are learning so it’s not too easy or too hard. Also you do not have the same teacher as all your friends so you can not ask, “Hey can I copy your homework?”

7. What are some of the things you like about going to school at SBRHS?

You do not have the same classes everyday, and you have electives which are really fun classes so it gives you a break from the academic classes. I like doing sports because its more competitive than some teams I’ve played on.