Every August, new students come into Mundelein High School with hopes and expectations for their first year of high school. Three freshmen: Jacob Matyasik, Ethan Mason, and Thomas Dunaway, shared their unique experiences during their first few months of high school.
Matyasik, Mason, and Dunaway all attended Fremont Middle School. These three students agreed to be interviewed because of excitement about being at Mundelein High School. Mataysik said, “I like MHS so far, and I like the freedom and responsibilities that are different from middle school. I also like all of my teachers and classes so far.”
Mason agreed. He said, “So far I really like high school. I felt prepared coming into high school, but I am still working to become fully prepared for the rest of the year.”
Dunaway echoed the others stating, “I am liking it a lot so far, and I think it will continue to get better as the year goes on.” He added, “I am happy I know a lot of people in high school which has made it easier.”
Choosing classes and electives as a freshman can be tough. “I’m taking Personal Finance, Spanish 2 and Media as my electives. I also take English 1, World Studies, Biology, and Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry,” said Matyasik. He commented he is happy to have the option to take electives that will help him in the real world. He shared, “I’m excited about my Personal Finance class, and I am excited to learn how to manage my money and other important life skills.”
Mason also selected Personal Finance. He said, “I am in Personal Finance and Spanish 2. I am also taking the normal core classes except for math where I am in Honors Geometry.”
Dunaway selected a Dual Credit Option, he said, “I am in Dual Credit Media and Personal Finance. I am also taking Spanish 2 as well as the normal core classes. In math, however, I am taking Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry.” He also shared that he is excited for Dual Credit Media because he is “interested in editing videos and interviewing people.”
Mundelein High School encourages students to get involved in the MHS community outside of just academics and encourages students to have an “AND”. Matyasik said, “I plan on joining the baseball team, I’m in FBLA, and I might also try out for the bowling team.” He said he wants to join the baseball team because a lot of his friends do it and he has been playing it for a long time now with Mundelein Travel/Feeder teams.
Mason has already joined a club and a team and plans to join others. He shared, “I am in Best Buddies, plan on joining the baseball and basketball team, and am on the JV golf team.” Mason said he joined Best Buddies because he was a part of a similar club during middle school and really enjoyed it.
Similarly, Dunaway has also started off his freshman year on a team, but plans to try out for others. He shared, “I plan to try out for baseball and basketball, I am on the Freshman Football Team, and plan on joining some clubs in the future.” Dunaway said that he hopes to join clubs that will prepare him for the future. With this in mind, he has his eyes set on clubs like FBLA.
Different freshmen have different hopes and expectations for highschool. Matyasik said, “I hope that freshman year will help me figure out where everything is in the school, how everything works, and I hope that it will make me feel very prepared for my next years in high school. He concluded, “I hope to have a great GPA as well in order to set me up for success in the future.” He ultimately hopes his freshman year will be a set up for his success in high school.
Mason said he is focused on his sports and grades during his freshman year. He stated, “I hope my freshman year plays out with me having really good grades, making new friends and having great performances in my sports.” He added, “I also hope to learn how to become a better person.”
Dunaway really hopes to become more accustomed to the high school environment this year. He shared, “I hope that I will continue to grow in academics and acclimate into high school for my sophomore year.” Like many freshmen Dunaway sees this year as a warmup for the next four years. He said, “I also hope that freshman year will give me a better understanding of what is to come in my high school journey.”
