Smoke Signals asked two West High students from each grade about what surprised them about their classes on the first day of the 2012-2013 school year.

Christina Marie Rojo (9): “I am new to the school district and so far the students have been welcoming and all of my teachers seem very nice so I think I’m going to have a good freshman year.”

Savannah Schafer (9): “I’m used to having most of my classes with my friends, so it surprised me that I didn’t.”

Matt Doty (10): “I was surprised at how cool my teachers are. I thought going into sophomore year they were going to be stricter.”

Beatrice Barbat (10): “I didn’t get any crazy or mean teachers which probably surprised me the most about my classes.”

Gabriela Cruz-Aedo (11): “On the first day, the teachers intimidated me and told my classes how hard the classes were going to be. I didn’t think they were going to be like that on the first day.”

Sergio Tangari (11): “The classes seem to be pretty easy.”

Emily Williamson (12): “I was happy to be back at school and be around my friends. I guess I’ve realized how nice it is to be around everyone and to feel part of something.”

Javier Rodriguez (12): “Even thought there are new faces and new classes, in the end I still know that school is going to be around, so I can’t keep denying it. However, as long as I have my friends there with me, I know we can all get through this new school year.”