As she moved from middle school to high school, freshman Kenzie Cardenas Elena said she had initial concerns about the transition. Adjusting to higher academic expectations and increased independence can make the shift to high school challenging for many students, according to Lehigh Valley Health Network. Despite these challenges, Cardenas Elena said Archer has helped her transition smoothly from eighth to ninth grade, whether on the field with her soccer team or in the classroom, where she has taken more risks and grown more confident. Through her voice, she hopes to make a meaningful impact on Archer and its community through extracurricular involvement and leadership roles.
The Oracle sat down with Cardenas Elena to discuss her first semester of high school.
When you were younger, what did you think high school would be like?
Kenzie Cardenas Elena [KCA]: I feel like there’s this stereotype that high school is hard and hard to manage. So originally, I was definitely scared of going into high school. But since middle school, I’ve felt like I knew what I was going into, and I’m not as afraid now. So far, it’s been pretty fun. I’ve got to meet a lot of people in other grades — I guess I didn’t have that much of an opportunity when I was in middle school. I’m in soccer right now, and I’ve got to meet a lot of people, and I’ve become friends with seniors, and that’s definitely something that I didn’t expect at all.
What was the most challenging aspect of your first semester in high school?
[KCA]: Well, obviously, there’s different class work and stuff like that, but I think going into a final was hard to think about, but in reality, it wasn’t actually that bad. So now, as I’ve taken a final, I know in the future years I’m not as afraid of going into a final.
Was there an adjustment period from middle school to high school?
[KCA]: No, Archer knows how to integrate us from eighth grade to ninth grade. So I think that was great. Throughout the middle of eighth grade, you begin to gain more responsibility — the free periods and stuff like that. You learn how to manage your time with sports and with school for what’s expected of you within soccer.
What do you look forward to doing in high school?
[KCA]: I hope to be integrated into more clubs. I’d love to create some type of impact and really get out there because I’m more of a timid person, but I think that Archer has recently helped me become less shy through soccer. So definitely some type of leadership or just integrate and be more social, would be great for me.
Throughout your Archer middle school experience, what do you think you’ve learned so far?
[KCA]: I’ve learned how to be an empowered girl, and I think that I am more out there. It’s important that I’ve learned to use my voice. I think that a lot of girls in other schools don’t use their voice in an impactful way. I think that Archer has taught me how to advocate for women. In daily life, women face problems. I think that in any career, it’s the mentality and being aware that matters.
If there could be a piece of advice you’d give an eighth grader transitioning to high school, what would it be?
[KCA]: I’d say, don’t be scared. High school is not as bad as it’s portrayed. I think that if you work hard enough, you will be able to reassure yourself of that. Don’t be afraid. Have determination, and you will be able to achieve whatever you want to. Put your mind to whatever you want to.
