Last year’s senior class has burdened almost every area of the school with a great loss. Every sports team relied on the class for four years to be successful, and clubs were filled with leaders from the class of 2023. However, the freshman class has seemed to already have filled the empty spots or maybe even exceeded them.

Academically, the class of 2027 has come into high school bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready to conquer the challenges in their way. Mr. Chmura, a freshman biology teacher says, “[The freshman] are transitioning to high school expectations well. They are starting to come out of their shells and are starting to settle in.” He adds that he is particularly impressed with this group, and he thinks the freshman will add a lot to the school. In the classroom, last year’s seniors went above and beyond. Stellar academic achievements and glowing teacher recommendations sent two students to MIT and many to very prestigious schools. Losing incredible tutors, classmates, and friends was difficult, yet the school is forced to adjust annually. This year’s seniors must take on the role of the graduated class, and the freshman must fill the gap in between. However, many teachers and peers have confidence that the hardwork and dedication shown so far will allow the class to succeed overall.

As for clubs, there is a lot of diversity in age in many parts of the school. There are 32 active freshman members in the Interact club, making up almost a third of the club. Interact board member Brooke Soininen explains that she is impressed with the involvement from the freshman class so early in the year. When asked about what they will add to the club, she says, “I feel like the freshman as a whole are a very motivated grade,” and later adds, “I think that as freshman in the Interact Club they will step up and fulfill key roles such as attending the sleepover or volunteering for various activities that the club needs.”

Brooke and the other leaders of Interact have noticed the strong presence of the freshman, specifically, Asuka Keough and Sarah Belford have stepped up to participate in the first fundraiser of the year, selling Boo Bags! This role was filled by freshmen even before upperclassmen could take on the job. It shows their commitment and overall initiative to make things happen. This year, board members believe that the freshmen will learn by participating and observing club activities so in the future they will be able to lead and organize the events. The officers of the club anticipate that a member or two of the class of 2027 will take on a leadership role next year as board members.

A big gap was left by the graduation of the class of 2023 in sports. On the soccer team, seven seniors were lost while exactly seven freshmen were added to the roster. Before the season began, there was concern that the new class wouldn’t be able to fill the shoes of the alumni due to lack of experience and confidence. However, that was far from the case. Although the season started off weak, the team made it farther in the state tournament than what has ever been achieved in recent Ipswich Girls’ Soccer history. When asked about how the big freshmen group has impacted the team, captain Izzie Wetter says, “I feel that they are extremely motivated and they always give 100% work on and off the field. They’re also very supportive”. She adds that they make “people work harder at practice and during the game because they are representing the GSOC starting line up”. Every freshman on the soccer team has held a starting position during at least one point in the season. Many, about 4, have consistent starting spots.

The struggles at the beginning of the year were due largely in part to the newness of the team. With a third of the players on the field being inexperienced freshmen who never played with the team before, it was definitely an adjustment that took time to work out. However, the hard work, dedication, and perseverance of the team and especially that of the freshman pushed girls soccer to be the best they could and brought them wins they never thought possible.

Stella Whitten and Asuka Keough were standout freshmen players who worked together to score goals during the state tournament, which kept the season going! Asuka was voted Most Improved Player of the Year by her team.

The cross country team was also led to the divisional championship by freshman Alana Novello. Additionally, half the football team consisted of freshmen, and this allowed them to have a second team this year for junior varsity. Overall, the class of 2027 continues to push the expectations, and they will continue to build the track, swim, and basketball teams this winter, while also filling spring teams in the future.

It is exciting to think of the many other ways the freshman will impact the school. They have four years left at Ipswich, and after beating out the seniors in spirit week, they have called attention to themselves. They have proven to be a force to be reckoned with, and as they continue through high school we’ll see whether they capture their potential or fade away as just another class in the high school.