Through the halls of Central High School on Thursday, March 10, many future bobcats experienced campus for the first time. The rising freshmen visit included a pep rally, speeches, a student panel and tours.
At the pep rally, the band, along with the seniors from the cheer and dance team, welcomed students with music, dancing, and tons of smiles. The middle schoolers came from all over Knox County ranging from private schools to Holston Middle. Upon arrival, students made their way to the auditorium through a breezeway filled with Bobcat Pride. The pep rally offered the class of 2026 a glimpse into what being a Bobcat means.
Once the pep rally ended, a “welcome” presentation began. Dr. Brown delivered a speech about what is in store for the new freshmen. Dr. Brown previewed a major change for Central next year: the class of 2026 will be the first class to be career-focused. “Career focus” means the new freshman will be able to start their high school journey with classes spotlighting the type of careers the students are interested in. A career academy focused class will be a new program that is made to help students in the long run.
After the students learned about what will be available for them in the 2022-2023 school year, they watched a video featuring Central alumni offering advice to help lead students in the right direction. The video encouraged students to get involved at Central whether it is through a sport, meeting new friends or joining clubs. There is something for everyone at Central and the administration and seniors stressed the importance of finding something to be involved in.
After all the speeches, tours commenced and the student panel began to answer questions. On the panel were seniors Ella Blair and Jake Ensor. Blair is involved with student government, yearbook, National Honors Society, Mock Trial, and is the student body president. Questions that the students asked the panel were: what is the best memory you have from Central and advice you would give to your freshman self.
Ensor is involved with the National Honors Society, journalism and band. In the band, Ensor is the Drum Major. Some advice Ensor would give the new freshman is to communicate with your teachers, balance your classes and know your limits.
While half the students listened to the student panel, the other half were guided through the school. The students glanced at classes such as Art, ROTC, Collision Repair and Gym. Each group had 20 minutes to tour the school and then they had to be back in the auditorium ready to go back to their middle school. Once all the students were back and everyone was accounted for, the buses filled and the freshmen visit was over.
The Central Bobcats are excited to welcome the new class of 2026 in the fall and get to know all the new faces and personalities that will be here for the next four years. Go Bobcats! And welcome to the class of 2026!
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