With a grand “opening” of the budding Lower Moreland High School behind us, varying emotions inevitably accompany it. Just as we got used to Canvas after a long history of Google Classroom, we students eventually acclimate to change. Sure enough, educators, faculty, and students 9-post-high school students responded to the invitation to a new high school differently.

Zoey Godfrey, feeling ambivalent, captured the feelings of many others with her quote, “I am excited for what the future has to offer, but I am accustomed to all parts of this school which brings about fear; what if I don’t find my way around?” What-ifs are normal, especially during a series of changes; however, it’s important to courageously accept the unknown.

Dr. Jamie Lincow, a beloved Lower Moreland alumnus, has studied, walked the hallways, been taught, and now teaches at the high school level! She’s adopted Lower Moreland into her daily routine post-graduation, being here almost daily since the seventh grade. On a tour of the new high school building, she was met with modernized, cutting-edge technology, open spaces, and as she said, “new opportunities for growth.” Unable to contain her excitement, she anticipates new opportunities for our community. Like many others, Dr. Lincow imagines class periods with less structure and sedentary lessons and instead activities on the “learning stairs” or making use of the courtyard.

Students undoubtedly crave a change in scenery and the new atmosphere delivers exactly that. As of early 2024, the new Lower Moreland High School and everything about it is a default conversation starter. On estimate, its existence and the excitement that it promotes are brought up at least once per day.

Although the school curriculum includes a diversity of subjects and lessons, it does not teach us how to feel about this change in scenery and tradition. Feelings are not clear-cut, cookie-cutter-like. There’s a multitude of emotions, ranging from ecstasy to nervousness and uncertainty. At times, there are all smiles when the topic is brought up in a classroom setting while others let their nerves speak for themselves. For one, some teachers also show signs of stress, especially regarding moving their belongings over. I hope that everyone will learn to love the new 2024 high school, contribute parts of their individuality, add character to it, and embrace it as home.