Being a new student at GBHS can be uncomfortable

It’s never easy being the new guy. New school, new teachers, new classes and no friends.
   The story, however, is entirely different for each person.

Julian Bozzo
   Bozzo was born in Canada, moved to Fresno, lived in Los Angeles for a year, moved to Minnesota, and then moved to Granite Bay High School halfway through the first quarter of this school year.
The Gazette: What’s it like being the new kid?
Bozzo: I’ve moved a lot, so I’m kind of used to it.  Every school is different, but people are the same.
How did you start making friends?
I just try to make friends in the classes I have.  It’s the most convenient way, and then I can become friends with their friends too. Usually, I can walk into a class and immediately know who I’m going to become friends with.
What’s your impression of Granite Bay?
I can tell that there are a lot of stuck-up rich kids here. But the school doesn’t appear to be rich, because the last school I went to was really rich. It had four story buildings. All the computers were new. It was crazy. The school I came from was a rich school with rich kids, but here it’s just rich kids at a poor school.
Do you feel like people at GBHS are welcoming?
They seem kind of indifferent. Most people don’t even really know that I’m new, so they don’t really notice.
Do you have advice for others in your situation?
Try not to kill yourself. Life sucks, but you’ve got to get through it.

Joe Eyen
   Eyen moved to Granite Bay in August 2009. He had been living in Los Angeles for seven years.
The Gazette: What’s it like being the new kid?
Eyen: I moved once before in fifth grade.  Changing schools is difficult.  Being the new kid is different; you kind of have to adjust.
Joe seems a bit quiet, but he’s still friendly and conversational.
How did you start making friends?
I play basketball, so that really helped.  Doing something outside of school is a good way to meet people.
What’s your impression of Granite Bay?
I used to live by the ocean, so I miss that sometimes. The school itself is a little bit bigger than my old school.  A lot is different, but it’s still high school.
Do you feel like people at GBHS are welcoming?
When someone knows that you’re new, they’re welcoming, but if they don’t know you’re new, they don’t take notice.
Do you have advice for others in your situation?
I’d recommend sports or clubs or something. Also, try to get adjusted in the beginning of the school year; it’s definitely a lot easier than trying to in the middle.

Devin Lee
   Lee moved to Granite Bay in August 2009 from the Fresno area.
The Gazette: What’s it like being the new kid?
Lee: I’ve been moving about every five years. It was easier when I was little, like in elementary school, and it was OK in middle school, but it’s worse in high school.
How did you start making friends?
It wasn’t easy to make friends; it was actually a little scary. It just happens. I found other people who were new. We could gather together and, you know, whine and complain.
What’s your impression of Granite Bay?
There are more… opportunities for classes, I guess you could say. I went to a pretty ghetto school before.
Do you feel like people at GBHS are welcoming?
The first week you’re new, everyone is trying to be nice to you because you’re the new kid, and then after that no one really cares.
Do you have advice for others in your situation?
Don’t expect much of people when you move. Don’t expect friends right away.

Andrea Hunkins
   This is Hunkins’ third high school. She moved to Granite Bay from El Dorado Hills, and before that she lived in Colorado.
The Gazette: What’s it like being the new kid?
Hunkins: It’s hard at first, but you get used to putting yourself out there and talking to people and finding people, so you’re not alone. After that, it’s easy.
How did you start making friends?
I talk to the people I have classes with.
What’s your impression of Granite Bay?
Academically, it’s the best school that I’ve been to, but it was a little bit harder socially.
Do you feel like people at GBHS are welcoming?
People are kind of rude here.
I sure hope Granite Bay can take some constructive criticism.
Do you have advice for others in your situation?
Just put yourself out there. It might not go so well, but most of the time you’ll find somebody who you can talk to.