As Noble Street College Prep students filled the halls on the first day of school this year, excitement bounced all around with greetings and hugs. The beginning of the school year is always a refreshing moment when students get to showcase their new kicks and share their summer highlights with their friends and teachers.

This year at Noble Street, students had an extra opportunity to set a positive outlook for the school year. With chalkboards and a fun backdrop, students took “First Day of” pictures outside of the cafeteria – just like the ones many parents post online of their elementary and middle school kids when the first day of school rolls around. For the high school students at Noble Street, it was just as much fun.

Students took an extra-long pause to answer “When I grow up I want to be ___” on their boards. Many students wrote businessman, make-up artist, doctor, writer, police officer, and nurse. Several also wrote powerful adjectives like wealthy, happy, and successful instead of a specific career. They were eager to share their future dreams, especially knowing their picture would be posted on Noble Street’s social media – like junior Athena Gaines. 

Athena loved completing her board. She wrote that she wants to become a model and was happy to share about how she’s pursuing several different creative outlets to help her get there. Noble Street is helping her in that endeavor.

“I can be myself here and participate in various art clubs after school,” Athena said. As a junior, Athena said she’s been able to express herself through accessorizing her daily dress code with her hair, nails, and purses — options that used to not be allowed at Noble schools. Athena has also been a part of Anime Club, Comic Book Club, Arts Appreciation Club, The Art of Anime, and many more enrichment classes that have fostered her creativity and unique style. She’s looking forward to a strong junior year as she prepares to take her S.A.T. and strengthen her academics.

And not wanting to be left out – teachers and staff got in on the fun, too! They filled out the board with the amount of years they have been teaching, ranging from their first year to their 23rd year. They also shared what they used to say when asked “When I grow up___” – filling out the board with professions like pro-soccer player, marine biologist, and scientist.

Ms. Lindenmeyer, who has been at Noble for 7 years said, “The start of the school year always brings so much joy and excitement–like butterflies in your stomach and that feeling never gets old!” This is Ms. Lindenmeyer’s 15th year teaching. She is looking forward to working with sophomores in English II this year.

Pausing and spending time to reflect on their dreams and goals was a joy for both students and staff. We hope everyone’s start to the school year was met with excitement and full of aspirations. It is never too late to decide what you want to be when you grow up!