I graduated from Centennial High School in May 2015 and I'm now a freshman at UMBC. My younger sister is a freshman at Centennial High School now, and I'm reminded of the parts I miss and don't miss from my high school. Just to be clear, I'm referring to the Centennial High School located in Ellicott City, Maryland. There are certain things I'll take away from my high school experience and these are some of the thoughts that went through my head when I was in high school.
1. You cringe and are also simultaneously thankful when thinking about the academic rigor of your high school. Seriously, though— why are high school freshman already stressed out about college? Is this healthy? IS THIS LEVEL OF ACADEMIC PRESSURE PLACED ON ADVANCED PLACEMENTS HEALTHY? Honestly, probably not.
2. The Academic Team is what Centennial High is known for and Anime Club is one of the biggest clubs in the school. If you want further proof the students are nerds, just look at the amount of awards Centennial High School has won.
3. There are kids taking differential equations in your high school. It's an actual class offered and this continues to boggle your mind.
4. You're constantly reminded of the sheer wealth of Howard County. Centennial High School had its prom held at the Baltimore Museum of Industry in 2015, Class Night was held on the Spirit of Baltimore Cruise, there was a senior cookout at the local park, after-prom was held at the Columbia Mall with a DJ, and Peter Pan actually flew during the school's performance.
5. There will most likely be multiple kids who decide to make most, if not every, single class on their schedule an AP class. You will mourn their social life and bid them good luck. Also, the fact Centennial High School has so many AP classes offered is insane.
6. The football team is continually mocked. Do you understand what football is, really? Not really, and it's kind of an enigma to you.
7. What is a locker and what is the purpose? Do you even remember what your locker combination is? Most likely not.
8. The science classes can be as rigorous as actual college courses and can include dissections of cats, pigs, and squids. You can also perform experiments that involve gel electrophoresis. It's incredible and can really prepare you for college classes.
9. There are two gyms, a huge track/stadium area, and a baseball field. That enough just exemplifies Howard County's wealth.
10. What are windows and where can you find them? Not here!
11. You cheered when you got better SAT scores than your rival school.
12. There are people at your school who have received perfect ACT and SAT scores. You're not sure how much of it is attributed to socioeconomic status and the resources available.
13. You may be constantly stressed by the academic pressure you face from your peers and start comparing yourself to others.
14. The art, theater, and music department are known for doing amazingly well. It's not just academics that Centennial excels in. Again, look at the awards Centennial has won for art and music. Centennial High School offers a wide amount of art, music and theater classes. These should be continually supported.
15. There are an insane amount of clubs for anything and everything.
16. You realize that there are other Maryland schools without all resources Howard County has and you really wish these opportunities were provided to other districts as well. It does not feel entirely equal.
17. What is Eagle Pride?
