The 2024-25 school year has been an outstanding school year for both students and faculty. Between late practices and working diligently in classes, this year has left its impact on the J-D community.
Freshman Naiya Bhattacharjee says she’s sad for this school year to end but glad to move on. “I’m ready to leave Geometry,” Bhattacharjee says. Being a freshman can be difficult but Bhattacharjee has some advice, “Make sure to meet all the new people you can your freshman year.”
Senior Diane Amaoko says the highlight of her senior year was getting the seal of biliteracy for Spanish. “Join many clubs and get involved at J-D,” Amaoko says. “It feels great leaving high school, I’m sad its ending but I’m happy to move on.” Amaoko says the thing about J-D she’ll miss the most is her friends and the teachers that have helped her throughout these four years.
Another senior whose highlight was earning the seal of biliteracy was Eva Garcia. Garcia feels relieved to have finished, saying she feels like it’s a weight off her chest. “Actually focus on school,” Garcia says on advice she would give to her freshman self.
Chemistry and forensics teacher Amy Boetteger says she’ll remember 2024-25 for being a kind and sweet class. “The seniors were all so hardworking this year which was surprising to me because they usually fall due to senioritis,” Boetterger says.
One of the new addition to J-DHS faculty, Earth Science teacher John Lembeck, says his time so far at J-D has been amazing and he can’t wait for the future. “My biggest challenge working here has been balancing all the work between making lesson plans, grading homework and setting up labs. It’s been a lot of work but has been worth it,” Lembeck says. “The biggest surprise to the J-D culture has been how nice everyone is. When I played in the teachers against seniors game, I was really bad. I missed all my shots but everyone was so supportive and so kind to me after the game.”
Freshman Kellen Host says his first year in high school has been cool and fun. “The food is a lot better at the high school and that surprised me,” Host mentions. Host is most proud of his grades and his study tactics he used for tests this year. “My advice to incoming freshman is to be in Mr. Lembeck’s class,” Host says.
Earth Science teacher Nicole Zablotny, who was also new to J-DHS, says that the students at J-D have been a lot better at learning new material than previous schools she has worked at. “I learned to let the students take control of the class, they’re a lot smarter than many people would think,” Zablotny says. Zablotny’s mindset has changed a lot since joining J-D. She has felt more passionate about being a teacher. “I’ve fallen in love with J-D with how much it has changed my mindset,” Zablotny.
Mark McIntyre who has been working at J-DHS for over 10 years will remember the 2024-25 class as an artistic and hard working class. “My advice to first year teachers is to try and be flexible, being a teacher is very unpredictable.”
