*This article was originally posted on the first DHS news site in September of 2021*

Summer has ended, and for the first time in its history, the halls of Davenport High School are filled with students and teachers hoping for a short and sweet next nine months. Each new school year brings challenges, successes, and many changes, and this is never clearer than the first week of school. Already, this year looks much different than the one that preceded it.

Of course, the most noticeable change has been the increase in population. With the students that returned to campus from virtual learning combined with the 500 new freshmen, the student body has doubled since last August.

“It’s fantastic to grow,” Mrs. Kelly Baker-Wiese, Davenport’s Student Support Specialist, said, “because with that comes positive change.”

However, even positive changes come growing pains. For example, the size increase led to overcrowding during the first couple of lunches. It became immediately clear that one lunch was not sustainable as many students didn’t even receive food until the bell was ringing. However, DHS has already proven it is adaptable, and this was no exception. By the third day, a change had already been made, and a lunch period was added.

Not all of the effects of Davenport’s doubling were as large as this, though. The growth brought on challenges on a student level as well. An influx of new students meant an abundance of nerves about a new start.

“My first day was interesting since I’m a new student here at Davenport. I didn’t know anyone,” senior Abby Talbot said. She, along with many other new Wolves, had concerns about making friends. “Coming from another school it was difficult stepping out of my comfort zone.”

Even returning students had first-day challenges. Jo Callenius, a junior, said that one of her concerns was “finding out what classes I had.” She was not alone, either. Many students ended up with some sort of schedule mishap that had them stressing over their classes. In Jo’s case, the change from regular physics to OnRamps was a challenging, but thankfully successful, one.

“We’ve had a lot of change in a short amount of time, and students and staff continue to take things in stride,” Baker-Wiese said.

Despite the jitters of a new school year, it seems that students and staff alike are excited about the future of their school. Mrs. Kimberly Newman, a statistics and algebra teacher at Davenport, is looking forward to implementing the adjustments she has made to her teaching style.

“The biggest change that I have made this year is to utilize more collaborative groups in my classroom,” Newman said. “I am really looking forward to the new projects I came up with over the summer. I can’t wait to see students collaborate and engage with math in authentic ways!”

The ever-evolving culture of DHS is another reason to be excited for the new school year. Mr. Jeff Stracener, one of Davenport’s Assistant Principals and another new face on campus, is hoping he can contribute to this culture and make this year a big one for student involvement.

“I’ve been actively following all Davenport High School social media for the past year and loved the culture that was being created here,” Stracener said. “I want all students to enjoy their four years in high school and believe that everyone should be involved in something outside the classroom that connects them to new people and helps them feel connected to Davenport.”

In order to make this happen, Stracener has already held the first meeting for all DHS organization leaders to discuss their plans and hopes for the year, especially those regarding recruitment of new members. The biggest takeaway, however, was that no matter what, the clubs and organizations will work to uplift, and not compete with, one another. This way, they will demonstrate the camaraderie and community that Davenport prides itself in.

Stracener said that this coming year, he is looking forward to “seeing students embrace the high honor and work that goes into making Davenport the best high school in the district and the state. So far I have been extremely impressed with the student body.”

This is just one of many reasons that students and staff at Davenport have to be excited for the 2021-2022 school year. They have put in the hard work to make changes, and now, the fruits of their labor are on the horizon.

“As long as we stick together, we can do anything,” Baker Wiese said. “I’m looking forward to a fantastic school year, and can’t wait to see all that we are able to accomplish as a Pack.”