As a middle school student approaching the final days of the eighth grade, preparations for high school have begun. Signing up for classes at the new school, seeing which schools others are going to, and discussing with parents what the best option is are just a few of the activities occurring. But of course, negative rumors and stories run rampant down the halls and from ear to ear of each middle school student. Unfortunately, many students have fallen victim to the vile and disappointing rumors about Seminole High School.
Nicknamed “Criminole High” by many outsiders, Seminole’s reputation has been effected by gossip and chit chatter that has caused many students to be intimidated and overwhelmed before their first day on campus. Some freshmen are mortified, thinking that someone is going to steal all their possessions or that they are going to get caught dead center in a fist-slinging fight. Frankly, these occurrences are very few and far between. Seminole has changed over the years and the established negative reputation that has shadowed the school is clearing up. The class of 2012 can testify to the fact that not everything one hears about Seminole is true.
These seniors below have reflected upon their years at Seminole to make the message clear that Seminole in fact offers something different–and positive–for each student.
Jarleen Fernema:
” Some rumors I heard about Seminole before going here was that the school was crazy, ghetto, and people love to start drama. The way I felt about Seminole before I started attending was that I really didn’t care about the school; I just wanted to be where my friends were. Now that I’m a senior, my feelings have totally changed. I really love it here. I love the teachers and the students that go here. Seminole to me represents a family. Now that I’m [graduating] in a few months, I’m really sad. It’s like I want to leave, but I don’t want to leave [at the same time].”
Bryan Ortiz:
“Before I started attending Seminole, I felt like if I joined the Academy of Health Careers that I [could] have a better health profession because I knew that they [would] prepare me for [it]. My feelings have changed since freshman year because I feel like all of my teachers have helped me and guided me in the right direction to help me with whatever I want to do after I graduate from Seminole and I want to thank all of them for their help. Seminole represents to me a place where the teachers and faculty care and want to help you, so that when you graduate you can move on to far more greater things in life on your own.”
Suriya Hobson:
“I heard that Seminole was ghetto and that people were bullies, but I don’t really think that is true. I felt a little uneasy [my freshman year] because Seminole is a big school and I was shy when I was younger. I loved the school when I was a freshman and I love it now that I am a senior. I’m really nervous and excited to graduate and to be on my own but I’m looking forward to it.”
Morgan Van Horn:
“Before I attended Seminole High School, I felt bittersweet toward the change. I knew an amount of people [at Seminole] and I also knew people had heard of me before I came so, the transition would be different. To be completely honest, I came into Seminole, quiet and quickly, and became part of a family of friends, from an adopted Russian freshman girl, to my entire 3rd period Journalism class, an elective where I’m the only senior. I’m very grateful for all of my friends around me. Seminole has represented a possible college path for me in Tallahassee, to be a part of chants in the Florida State University stadium. Being a senior graduating from Seminole is a little thing called fate. I am very impressed at how many bright kids my age are [here at Seminole]. My friends are amazing and I have many different connections with everyone including lunch ladies! I say hello to many amazing people every day. I always will remember this senior class; its everything I could wish for and more. I feel a part of a family and I will smile ear to ear, graduating from Seminole.”
Vanessa Von Dreele:
“Before I started Seminole, I was a little intimidated. Seminole has quite a reputation and it made me a little nervous about going. Because I haven’t been there all four years, I haven’t gotten to see the school change but my perspective on the school has. I’m not afraid of the people or atmosphere anymore because I’ve gotten to experience the school firsthand. For me, Seminole represents unity. We are all there just trying to make it through these tough high school years and are learning to develop relationships with all kinds of people. Being thrown together in an unorganized way has caused us all to hold on to each other and relate. Doesn’t matter your situation, race, religion, or sexual orientation, there’s always a group of people who you can relate to and trust.”
Diante West:
“Before I came to Seminole, everything in my mind was pretty much negative, but I tried to stay positive because it was a new learning environment for me. After a while, I thought about it and noticed it could benefit me. Seminole has actually help me out in the long run. I was able to get my grades together to be able to play basketball. Seminole made me notice that I’m a student athlete and that my school work comes first. Education is more important than playing sports because you won’t always have that to rely on. Now that I’m [graduating] very soon, I feel my transition from attending Wharton High School in Tampa to Seminole High School in Sanford was very much worth it. The staff at Seminole is very good, and they will make sure you get what you come to school for which is knowledge. I heard that Seminole was ghetto but, you have a little bit of that everywhere, so I wasn’t too much stressed [about that aspect]. Now that I’ve had three successful years here, I bleed orange.”
Garrett McMahon:
“My first year at Seminole was last year and I’m not going to lie, I thought I was going to get into a fight the first day of school. Maybe I shouldn’t have listened to the rumors. Truth is, Seminole has actually treated me pretty well ever since I moved here. There’s actually some nice people and I’m glad that I transferred. Actually, it’s amazing that I’m going to be 18 and graduating soon. It’s going to be one of the most exciting moments in my life that I’ll never forget.”
Kedisha Dehaney:
“I thought that Seminole was going to be a hard school before I attended. Now that I am a senior, I learned that Seminole is not that bad. It is a really good school and we have a lot of school spirit. Seminole represents to me a place where you learn how to withstand every and anything. I feel sad that I am leaving high school soon, and there is a good percentage of friends I might never see again, but I am also happy because getting to go off to college and learn new things and live will be amazing!”
Paige Plath:
“I was nervous because everyone said Seminole was super bad and in a bad neighborhood, but my older brother used to go here, so I knew I would be okay. Now looking back, I feel silly for being scared because Seminole is just a great school and I wouldn’t want to be graduating from anywhere else. I can’t wait to come back next year and sit on the sidelines with my old cheer girls at the football games and see the school grow even more.”