Participating in a high school competition club meant reaching and taking part in the state competition. I was a part of a competition club this year, where you are able to select up to 5 events you are interested in competing in, varying from website development to fashion design, all using a component of technology. This club is the Technology Student Association, or TSA, and ranges in things that are all technology related. My partner and I were participating in the forensics event, where you first have to pass a written multiple-choice test for the qualifying round. My friend and I both had to take it individually, but we both did well, and hence made it to the state competition! We were going to participate in the event with people who qualified from all over Washington State. This is when the fun began.

The experience of WSSEF was a world in itself. By the way everyone was bustling around, practicing their presentations last minute, or just simply fluttering around in their suits, it was a world of activity. That was WSSEF. The Washington Science and Engineering Fair. This was the state fair I was a part of after participating in the regional fair a few weeks ago, which was the Central Sound Science and Engineering Fair. I opened the fair door to a hustle of activity on a Saturday Morning. Quickly going over to get my badge for the day, acknowledging that I am a student participating, I headed over to my stall. Each person had their own number allocated to them, on their welcome sheet, so I navigated my way through the maze, trying to find my section. My friends soon joined me, helping me set up my board and binder of articles, my notes neatly arranged in a stack.

Competing in a science fair is an experience of its own. I recently participated in a science fair called CSRSEF, which stands for the central sound regional science and engineering fair. It’s a regional fair that takes place in the western side of Washington each year before moving up to the state fair. It consists of coming up with a novel idea or an extension of past research to bring something new to the table in the science world. There are many different categories that you can compete in, 22 to be exact. I participated in the earth and environmental science category.

To be honest, it’s kind of weird being back at school, being back to a place you have spent almost 3 months away from. You’re so used to only be alone at home, or only hang out with friends, that you aren’t used to seeing other people from school. Another thing that was daunting this year was junior year.

It’s so weird how all these years junior year was such a thing of the future, something we didn’t need to worry about for years to come. Slowly, we approached high school, and finally came to junior year. everyone says this is the hardest year, and I better watch out. Though I love my school enough that with enough hard work, my friends and I will persevere. I feel like I’m not as scared of junior year anymore after my unique experience of sophomore year.

As I sat at my desk contemplating what to write about for this week, only one thing came to mind because it has taken over me for the last few weeks. I am talking about AP tests. AP stands for advanced placement and are annual tests that happen in the month of May.

AP classes are college level classes, with the same rigor and assignments, and to test your knowledge on the subject, a test is held on a day in May. Over the year, the course is broken down into units, same as a non-AP class, except the tests and content is made to prepare you for the final test. Since they are college level classes, we are able to get dual credit for the class from specific colleges, which counts as one of your subjects from college and gives you a head start when you attend it.

Craning your neck to see the clock behind you, you were aware of the scraping noise the sweater was making on the chair, drawing eyes from everyone sitting around you. There were five minutes left till the end of class, people signed to each other. Five minutes until there was freedom to eat lunch. A minute, 30 seconds, and finally you’re out. Everyone in Tesla Stem has biological clock wired into their brains, knowing exactly when it’s time to leave, because there are no physical bells to signal the end of class.

For all my life, I’ve been the kind of person to figure it out myself. I don’t understand fractions? I’ll ask the teacher questions or learn it from my parents. I don’t know what to write about in English? I’ll ask my parents for ideas, or sit in my room, noting down my thoughts until I can get a clear picture in my head. I like having that sense of control, the sort that gives me the self confidence that I can do it on my own. Though that’s just me.

This Wednesday was a day a lot of people look forward to each year, a day where you get to express your love for your loved ones and be able to tell them how much they mean to you. Everyone has their own way of expressing it, whether it’s through cards, candy, or other gifts. Not everyone has dates though, and so my friends and I celebrate it in an even more special way. Galantine’s Day!

January means a lot of things to a lot of different people. For some, it’s the start of a great new year! Though for high schoolers, it’s also crucial for one more thing. Semester Finals! These two words pretty much characterize the state of being about everyone at school. First of all, the semester’s also going to end on January 26th, so everyone is worried about doing good on the last few unit tests, to be able to maintain or increase their GPA. With this, we hope to start an academically strong year.

What would your reaction be if your school suddenly decided not to have any uniforms and the students can wear whatever they want (with some exceptions of course). Well, that is exactly what happens here in USA. We can wear whatever we want, as long as it doesn’t violate the dress code. I believe that people here get a lot of choices ever since they’re children. This country strives to give people freedom, and the ability to choose the outfits to wear is just another step in the plan.

My mind was racing, a 1000 thoughts spiraling through my mind. I have to finish this assignment, that project and study for so many tests. Though the thought that cut the long line of thoughts and displayed prominently in my mind was this. Winter Ball was in a week! This being my first dance in my new school, I was excited. I was simply bursting with joy at the thought of me wearing my dress, doing my hair and makeup, and taking pictures with my friends.

Waking up with clammy hands, butterflies in my stomach, and a haze in my mind, I was sure I was sick. But no! I was just excited for my perfectly planned homecoming weekend. I had studied extra hard the entire week, just so that I could have a little breather for the weekend. Oh, finally it was Friday! Feet bouncing, hair waving, I got out of the bus after school on Friday afternoon, just a day before the special day and started running to my best friend. We had planned for this for so long, and our dream was finally coming true.